Underrated Sapelli was back to his best last start over the Sha Tin 1,800m and a light weight and good draw can see him take out the Group Three Centenary Vase today. The John Size-trained gelding has won four of his nine starts over the 1,800m course at headquarters and struck his best payday there winning the Group Three Premier Plate in March last year with an advantage at the weights. Sapelli (Douglas Whyte) didn't have the ideal trip when he failed at the distance three starts ago, but has

Underrated Sapelli was back to his best last start over the Sha Tin 1,800m and a light weight and good draw can see him take out the Group Three Centenary Vase today. The John Size-trained gelding has won four of his nine starts over the 1,800m course at headquarters and struck his best payday there winning the Group Three Premier Plate in March last year with an advantage at the weights.

Sapelli (Douglas Whyte) didn't have the ideal trip when he failed at the distance three starts ago, but has since put things back in order with strong finishing 1,600m run and then a solid Class Two win last time out.

While this race promises less of a tempo than the last outing, Sapelli can box seat with a positive ride early.

Super Pistachio is a regular leader in gate five and Packing Ok (Darren Beadman), the only horse drawn under Sapelli, will likely go forward and stay in touch with the front runner, but there looks no other speed in the race and a position in touch will be vital.

Beadman may allow Super Pistachio to cross early, then come to his outside, which would see Sapelli tracking up handy behind them in the soft tempo.

Key for him will be at what point the leaders kick for home, so Sapelli can get clear and engage the front-runners from early in the straight, as he is always at his best in a fight and tough to get past if he finds the top of the race, especially with no weight on his back. His lesser runs have tended to be when out of touch in modest tempos and he simply hasn't had the turn of foot to make up the ground.

In the Ladies' Purse earlier in the season, he was too far back and inside horses with nothing to take him into the race won by Jacobee (Jeff Lloyd), but he finished better than any runner to be beaten under two lengths and meets that winner on better terms today.

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