The Caspar Fownes-trained Slick Bullet returns to an all-weather sprint in the Hong Kong Reunification Cup (1,200m) at Sha Tin today and that looks the recipe to see him win his fourth race for the season, reports HK Racing Post.
The American-bred has proved himself quite sharp on the all-weather and his effort for fourth over 1,650m on the surface last time out was excellent, bolstering some arguments to suggest Slick Bullet (Tommy Berry) is capable of winning one on the dirt over that distance if everything fell into place.
But it is the 1,200m course where he has posted all of his three victories to date from just six starts, and the difference is that he is able to win at that trip even when a few little things go wrong in his races. That was the case in April and May when Slick Bullet won back-to-back Class Three races under Tye Angland, despite racing wide in one of them and missing the start in the other.
His run last time was Slick Bullet's first foray into Class Two and showed he is well up to the task in that grade, where he finds himself again this afternoon and with barrier one on his side.
As ever, the bias on the all-weather will be a vital factor, but gate one is usually a positive thing and Slick Bullet has the speed to make proper use of it, provided he consents to step away with the rest of the field.
The pace lies with Rocket Let Win in barrier four, Final Answer in gate seven with blinkers back on, and with Sky Mascot if he sent forward from his outside draw.
With a clean break, that should see Slick Bullet trailing in the box seat or at worst three back along the rail ifPretty One were to show the pace to cross him.
From there a comfortable, relaxed trip to the 400m mark should see the Fownes-trained galloper with plenty of energy to finish his race off and become another winner for Berry.