Belarus a class act to follow
TOP British rider Richard Quinn has had a memorable introduction to Hong Kong racing and it looks certain to continue with the exciting Belarus in the main event on today's Sha Tin card.
The Hong Kong Club Challenge Cup looks almost at the mercy of Belarus given the demolition job he did on the opposition when dropped back to a sprinting distance on the dirt last time out. He simply hacked up from Royal Pride under Quinn who was suitably impressed by the effort. 'He does shape as a very nice racehorse indeed.
I have to say that he is the best I have been on in Hong Kong and I am looking forward to riding him on the turf. 'It would be a bit strange if he is not as good on the grass as he is on the dirt. He won pretty easily for me in the end last time and he has taken no harm from that outing,' said Quinn. The key to Belarus has been time and also the decision to try him over the shorter trips. His dirt win was over the minimum trip, but he was absolutely coasting midfield for Quinn.
Even when Royal Pride scooted clear at the top of the straight, Quinn merely let out a notch in the reins, shook up Belarus and it was all over in seconds. Belarus now tackles the longer Sha Tin sprint in this good Cup race for Class Three horses and it does look to be within his keeping. Belarus had caught the eye in Hong Kong from the moment he stepped out on the track and even his early defeats did not take the gloss off. He simply looked too good to be anything less than a solid performer on the way up. To an extent, this is going to be a much more serious test for Belarus but there is no doubt that trainer Wong Tang-ping has brought him along well since the dirt win and the horse is thriving.
So taken is he by the horse that Quinn quipped earlier in the week: 'I wouldn't mind taking him back with me when I return to England.' It is not difficult to understand the enthusiasm as Belarus looks a racehorse and moves very fluently indeed.
He had the elusive change of pace when it was called for last time and a repeat of that today will surely see some silverware going in the direction of owner Daniel Zigal. Belarus has drawn 10 in the full field, but Quinn has shown that he can adapt very quickly and has made a distinct impression in his first month here.
He is good out of the gates, knows where he is in a race and can put in a very strong finish. There does not seem to be a great deal of depth to this feature event although there will be support for some others in the field. Royal Pride, despite a considerable weight advantage, is unlikely to reverse form with Belarus but he is an honest campaigner who is worth taking in the tierce.
Trainer Bruce Hutchison has booked Irish ace Mick Kinane for Heading To Win who could give Belarus most to do. He finished on strongly last time and has the ability to be winning in this grade. Heading To Win did not get the best of runs last time and will be improved by the outing, but should find Belarus a little too strong although he remains a top quinella chance.
Trainer Tony P. H. Chan, who is enjoying an excellent season, has engaged maximum girl claimer Sheri Kong Pik-wing for topweight Baskerville in what could be an astute move. It will pay to include this sprinter in quinella and tierce bets as Kong has improved markedly.
She has been overshadowed by Win Chung, but master Patrick Biancone has seen his patience with her rewarded to a considerable extent.
