The John Size-trained Voile Rouge may be an unknown on the treacherous all-weather, but he ticks every other box ahead of today's Broadwood Handicap (1,650m) at Sha Tin. With no trophy race, the Broadwood - which is essentially a Class Two - is the strongest class race of the day and sees Voile Rouge tackle the artificial surface for the first time. The five-year-old was well tried in Australia with David Hayes, where he won three times in 16 starts but he was in the first four another seven ti

The John Size-trained Voile Rouge may be an unknown on the treacherous all-weather, but he ticks every other box ahead of today's Broadwood Handicap (1,650m) at Sha Tin. With no trophy race, the Broadwood - which is essentially a Class Two - is the strongest class race of the day and sees Voile Rouge tackle the artificial surface for the first time.

The five-year-old was well tried in Australia with David Hayes, where he won three times in 16 starts but he was in the first four another seven times and consistency and adaptability were his hall mark.

Voile Rouge (Douglas Whyte) struck at the third time of asking here, winning over 1,400m on the Sha Tin turf, then was again a sound enough run at that distance when third to Noble Alpha.

But Size suggested after Voile Rouge's win 1,400m may be as short as he wants and, with just a modest tempo last time, he was outdashed at that distance. Stepping up to 1,650m looks an ideal progression for the Encosta de Lago gelding, especially with a low draw which he has the speed to use to good effect.

Just Fantastic, Mighty Sun and possibly Happy Reunion look to be going forward early but there doesn't look an oversupply of speed, which should suit a horse like Voile Rouge as he won't have too much trouble taking up a very handy spot behind them.

Will he handle the all-weather? Well, there are his four barrier trials to suggest he will, and the fact that Voile Rouge had some good soft ground form in Australia prior to his importation.

And there's the very salient argument the surface can't be held against him until he has shown he doesn't handle the all-weather or the kickback. (www.racing.scmp.com)