Jockey Brett Prebble's advice may prove to be spot-on in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase as Thumbs Up - wearing blinkers for the first time - indicated he is raring to go with a scintillating trial effort at Sha Tin yesterday. It was the Aussie rider who advised Danny Shum Chap-shing to consider adding blinkers after Thumbs Up finished fourth to Collection in the International Cup Trial on November 15, and the new headgear worked a treat as the five-year-old looked much sharper and found plen
Jockey Brett Prebble's advice may prove to be spot-on in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase as Thumbs Up - wearing blinkers for the first time - indicated he is raring to go with a scintillating trial effort at Sha Tin yesterday. It was the Aussie rider who advised Danny Shum Chap-shing to consider adding blinkers after Thumbs Up finished fourth to Collection in the International Cup Trial on November 15, and the new headgear worked a treat as the five-year-old looked much sharper and found plenty in the final 300m to dish out a three-length beating to Vase rival Jackpot Delight.
Thumbs Up clocked 1.41.51 for the 1,600m turf heat, with the final quarter in an impressive 22.0. Despite looking keen, Thumbs Up settled back at the rear - some six lengths off leader Jackpot Delight - went widest turning in and, when Prebble asked for an effort, he opened up a big margin.
"He was a clear second just after the line but disappointed me just a little bit because he wasn't that comfortable when he had horses around him," Prebble said after the Cup Trial. "He was a bit reluctant to stretch out and we might have to look at the blinkers - that could be the ace up our sleeve on international day."
Trainer Tony Millard has three smart winners-in-waiting, with Hot Asset, Supreme Taiji and Amedeo all showing their readiness with strong turf trials last Wednesday.
Hot Asset and Supreme Taiji kept on well to quinella the third trial (800m), while Amedeo showed plenty of speed to win his heat. (www.racing.scmp.com)