3 minute read

Across the globe, the anticipation of a hat-trick in absolutely any sport can set one's pulse racing.

A hat-trick is an honour and trophy in itself and Lucky Xuan from Cliff Brown's stable will attempt one on Friday in the Kranji Stakes C over 1200m on the long course D.

Lucky Xuan's record is impressive and after running third on his Kranji debut, has won both his starts with a story to tell in each. In his first start, Lucky Xuan was tucked in behind the leader and eventual winner, Pint Sized Prince, and ran extremely green when he was put under pressure. He looked unbalanced and was wandering all over the place in the last 400m, never making an impression on the winner.

His second start, however was a different story altogether and a better balanced, more confident looking horse was taken to the lead by Danny Beasley from out of the gates, running to the winning post as straight as an arrow. While Lucky Xuan did have the support of the rail, he did provide enough comfort to his connections who gave him some time and stepped him up to Class 4 on the polytrack on his return.

It was here where he looked most impressive. Unlike the previous time, he didn't get the opportunity to go to the lead, had to challenge down the centre of the track and looked even better balanced than before.

The form looks to be holding as well with both the horses that Lucky Xuan has beaten, Precisely and Rock You, performing impressively. Precisely won twice thereafter and ran second twice while Rock You was a short-head second on his only start after this one.

While Lucky Xuan hasn't won by large margins or broken any speed barriers as yet, he is poised to complete a hat-trick of victories despite the step-up in class again. The best horses are often those that learn quickly and work along a steep learning curve as against a gradual one and Lucky Xuan seems to be one who does just that.