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Karis Teetan is riding in rare form at present and has a strong book of rides at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Teetan has the enviable task of partnering Able Friend in the HKG2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) on Sunday, but while that booking is certainly an eye-catcher, the Mauritian also has a strong chance in the HKG3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (Handicap) aboard the up-and-coming Golden Harvest (116lbs).
Tony Millard’s smart sprinter has won four of his 11 career starts and has only twice finished out of the first three. But each of those runs has been at Happy Valley, and, when he lines up for his Sha Tin bow on Sunday, the Al Maher five-year-old will be dropping down to 1000m from 1200m for the first time since his racecourse debut back in October, 2012.
“It may be that it’s not entirely in his favour – just a little bit,” said Teetan, referring to the straight speed test the gelding will face. “They do go faster than Happy Valley, and here in the 1000m they will go very fast.”
But the rider is hoping that anticipated fast pace up front will play to Golden Harvest’s strengths, and a high draw (gate seven) down the stands’ side is one factor that is in the Millard runner’s favour.
“You get horse s like Divine Ten, when they’re in the speed they’re hard to catch, but I’m hoping that they do go very fast,” said Teetan. “If they go fast, I know Golden Harvest will have a burst that last 200m or 150m. Even against those speed horses like Divine Ten, I’m sure my horse will have a last burst and he will be trying to go and catch them.
“I’m hoping to get a nice run on the outside and once they slow down, if they do, he will be able to get down. I don’t want to chase him along too much early because, if I do, I think he will fall in a big hole. He will be running on strongly, like he does at Happy Valley.”
The Me Tsui-trained Divine Ten (115lbs) is another emerging force aiming to make his mark in higher echelons of the sprint ranks and Douglas Whyte’s mount will be out to make it five wins from six starts, all at the course and distance, since making his debut back in October. The Holy Roman Emperor four-year-old impressed when winning a Class 2 contest last start and is now rated 11lbs higher on a mark of 98.
Go Baby Go saw off none other than Amber Sky to win this race last year and he shoulders top-weight of 133lbs. Back in third, fourth and fifth twelve months ago were the Michael Chang-trained Vital Flyer (113lbs), the John Moore-trained Straight Gold (121lbs) and Best Eleven (120lbs) from the Tony Cruz stable, respectively. Straight Gold was runner-up to subsequent G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1000m) victor Amber Sky in the HKG1 Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup over the course and distance in January.
The Moore-trained Silver Grecian (119lbs) and El Zonda (119lbs) from the Cruz yard complete the field of eight.
Earlier on the card, in the Chairman’s Trophy, Teetan will partner Able Friend in a race for the third time. The jockey was in the plate for the subsequent HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Mile hero’s first two outings this term, and guided him to success in a 1400m Class 2 in November before Joao Moreira took the reins. With the Brazilian suspended on Sunday, Teetan has ridden the Shamardal gelding at trackwork seven times in the past nine days and is looking forward to renewing the partnership on race day.
“I can’t say how good he is, he’s shown how good he is himself; he’s doing fantastic in his work and he’s going well,” said Teetan. “It’s a small field and you don’t have to worry when you’re riding the best horse in the race. He knows his business, he knows when he’s in the last 400m – he knows when to take off. He’s a good horse and I just hope he shows his best again.”
Able Friend faces five rivals in the mile contest, including last year’s winner Packing Whiz and G1 Champions Mile runner-up Helene Spirit. Also in the line-up are Destined For Glory, Rainbow Chic and Pleasure Gains.
