Yiu keeps merrily on his way
FIRST-season trainer Ricky P. F. Yiu has had an unforgettable start to his career with a steady stream of winners, followed by an equally steady stream of new horses to his stable.
Success breeds success and Yiu has been flavour of the month for longer than four weeks. While some of his acquisitions may have plenty to prove, others are useful performers and Yiu has already posted wins with them.
California Gold was with former champion trainer Brian Kan Ping-chee for some time but it could be Yiu who now strikes gold with the American-bred sprinter who was responsible for a couple of very good runs in his griffin year.
He has not quite lived up to that promise subsequently but certainly looks in good shape at present and underlined his well-being with a solid trial on the Sha Tin equitrack yesterday.
Apprentice Ricky C. K. Chung popped the question to California Gold soon after straightening and he went clear, having already established a handy break.
It was a workmanlike effort more than a brilliant one but California Gold is capable of taking a race off his present mark.
Super Swift, who has been around a couple of times this season without exciting over much, finished a head second to the winner having come from second last to do so.
This was a strong effort and, in the context of the future, had a lot to recommend it. Super Swift, ridden by claimer Alex K. S. Yu, could now be finding his feet.
Wayward galloper Karamour finished third in this trial but will be seen again before he is passed ready to resume a racing career blighted by his trait of running out and ruining his chances.
Deeply disappointing Determinater won the first trial over 1,150 metres but his form has been so dismal it is impossible to read too much into this win.
He had well over two lengths to spare on Sunflower at the line but Determinater has not been sighted in a handful of starts this season, finishing right at the back in his most recent runs.
But he jumped well for claimer Yu yesterday and came through steadily to take it up from Sunflower who ran steadily in second place all the way. Early leader Good Health knocked up and finished well back.
With virtually all leading riders and trainers still out of the territory, there was little excitement again at Sha Tin yesterday morning.
There was solid support at his last start for the Richard Quinn-ridden Sailing who was involved in a severe scrimmaging in the final 100 metres at Happy Valley which resulted in the Mick Kinane-ridden Colours Hero being badly hampered and dropping out of the race.
Sailing finished fourth to Magic Dreams and kept on well after the incident.
The Steven S. L. Leung-trained galloper has taken no harm from the run and could go very close in the Volunteers Challenge Cup at Sha Tin on Wednesday.
