The Peter Ho Leung-trained Mochi has run creditably without winning since his ascent to Class Three, but the Hong Kong Outstanding Athletes Cup (1,650m) tonight at Happy Valley gives him a chance to improve on that record.Ridden for the first time by Richard Fourie, Mochi has his usual awkward barrier to deal with and he is only a 50 per cent chance to jump away cleanly, so he might once again be out the back as was the case in three of his four runs in the grade from tricky draws.What is differ
The Peter Ho Leung-trained Mochi has run creditably without winning since his ascent to Class Three, but the Hong Kong Outstanding Athletes Cup (1,650m) tonight at Happy Valley gives him a chance to improve on that record.
Ridden for the first time by Richard Fourie, Mochi has his usual awkward barrier to deal with and he is only a 50 per cent chance to jump away cleanly, so he might once again be out the back as was the case in three of his four runs in the grade from tricky draws.
What is different this time looks to be the speed of the race, with Good Luck Win , Zachary , Horse Aplenty and last week's surprise winner, Easy To Rich , all possible front-runners. Even All Round , dropping down a grade, is capable of taking a part in the early search for positions.
That's half of the field looking to race at least handy, even if they don't contest the lead, and that might produce enough momentum to suit Mochi's strong finish.
Box-seated first up at Sha Tin, he was just plain to the eye, but that was a slow-tempo sprint home which didn't suit. Mochi's form at Happy Valley is his best.
His obvious danger is the Tony Cruz-trained Mega Champion (Brett Prebble), who looked a battling Class Four-only type at one stage but has improved with racing.
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