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Pierre Ng hopes Johannes Brahms can further consolidate status as a leading Four-Year-Old Classic Series contender with a strong performance in the HK$2.84 million Class 2 The Racing Club Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (12 January).
Placed at Group 2 level in England when trained by Aidan O'Brien, Johannes Brahms charged late through a narrow gap under James McDonald to win over 1400m at Sha Tin on 22 December, earning a seven-point rise to 83 in the ratings after carrying 131lb.
To be ridden this weekend by Andrea Atzeni, Johannes Brahms' rise in class is offset by a drop to 120lb in the weights and Ng is optimistic the Siyouni gelding can continue his upward trajectory ahead of the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 31 January.
"He (Johannes Brahms) is a very promising horse. He just needs one more run to calm him a little bit more. The next race will be the Classic Mile so I'm hoping he can race more like a professional, more relaxed and hopefully he can do that in the future," Ng said.
"We know that he's got the class, it's just a matter of how he brings it up to us. Last time was promising and this time with the light weight, he can have another promising run and be pretty much ready for the Classic Mile."
Ng has similar aspirations for 68-rater Packing Turbine, who is also partnered by Atzeni in the Class 3 Pak Tin Handicap (1600m).
"He's more like a miler-plus horse, hopefully he can improve his form and get more points for the Four-Year-Old Classic Series. If we get more points, hopefully he can start the series in the (Hong Kong) Classic Cup (1800m)," Ng said.
Foiled last start by a lack of clear running, Hugh Bowman is confident Mickley can rebound strongly in the Class 3 (Restricted) Pak Shek Au Handicap (1600m).
To start from barrier eight with 135lb, the Royal Ascot Britannia Stakes (1600m) winner concedes weight to his 13 rivals but Bowman hopes a solidly-run race will take bad luck out of the equation after his last-start 12th behind Huge Wave on 1 January.
"There looks to be pretty genuine tempo on Sunday, so I think it will be a truly run event. The set-up looks quite good for him. He seems to be a horse who continues to improve each time he steps out, although we didn't get the opportunity to see it last start," Bowman said.
"With the quick back-up, that quiet run might assist his circumstances but he does have to give a fair bit of weight away to most of the field. That has to be acknowledged but regardless of that I think he will run very well."
Victor The Winner continued to take positive steps towards the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) on 19 January with an impressive trial victory at Happy Valley this morning (Friday, 10 January).
Ridden by Derek Leung, Victor The Winner wore blinkers for the first time and coasted from barrier 10 to eventually take the lead before accelerating in the straight to win by two lengths from stablemate Riding Together, pleasing trainer David Eustace.
"I thought he trialled well. We tried the blinkers on today and he handled that fine. He naturally got competitive down the back but once he was to stride in front, he got into a nice rhythm and found the line well," Eustace said.
"I'll assess the trial again and the splits but I thought it was a nice trial."
Victor The Winner won the 2024 Centenary Sprint Cup for Danny Shum but transferred to Eustace's stable after finishing 14th in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on 8 December.
Victor The winner is among eight entries for the Centenary Sprint Cup along with Ka Ying Rising, Beauty Waves, Helios Express, Howdeepisyourlove, Lucky With You, Magic Control and G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m) winner Invincible Sage.
Invincible Sage finished third in a 1000m trial this morning behind Snowthorn and Precious Hill after settling back in the field under Brenton Avdulla before closing solidly late.
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (12 January) with the Class 5 Wu Kai Sha Handicap (1200m, dirt) at 1pm.
