Once upon a time, Tony Cruz-trained El Zonda would have been waiting for an opportunity like tonight's Happy Valley Trophy (1,200m) to win a race at all, but the return to Happy Valley looks more of a bonus on his form nowadays.Until earlier this year, El Zonda (Matthew Chadwick) looked a one-trick pony - effective in Valley sprint races but just going around for practice whenever he raced at Sha Tin, where his performances were grades inferior.Somehow that all changed six months ago and El Zond
Once upon a time, Tony Cruz-trained El Zonda would have been waiting for an opportunity like tonight's Happy Valley Trophy (1,200m) to win a race at all, but the return to Happy Valley looks more of a bonus on his form nowadays.
Until earlier this year, El Zonda (Matthew Chadwick) looked a one-trick pony - effective in Valley sprint races but just going around for practice whenever he raced at Sha Tin, where his performances were grades inferior.
Somehow that all changed six months ago and El Zonda has since won twice at Sha Tin over 1,200m, and his latest effort there was probably the run of his life. Drawn the outside of 14 runners, El Zonda took his expected place at the rear of the field before rattling to the line down the stretch behind Frederick Engels, the most promising young sprinter in Hong Kong.
Tonight El Zonda has drawn the inside gate, which should see him sit closer in midfield without having to do any work to get there. That should leave him still able to unwind his regulation strong finish to get over the top of the speedier runners.
Despite the small field, there appears to be some good speed in the race, with Arrived Ahead, Final Answer and Go Baby Go all on-pacers.
Even if they don't take each other on, their presence should ensure a worthwhile tempo to allow run-on horses into the final result.
El Zonda's main danger, Charles The Great (Brett Prebble), is also drawn to sit a little handier from barrier three.
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