Storm can surge for TT opener
The Ricky Yiu-trained Storm Boy, desperately unlucky not to flash home into the placings at Sha Tin last weekend, could be the way to go in the fourth event on Sunday's dual simulcast card at Sha Tin.
The meeting starts with Best Of The Best's crack at the Sprinters Stakes at 2.35pm, but the second is not until 6.25pm at Sha Tin with the Triple Trio races this time being the fourth, fifth and seventh, not races three, four and six as per usual.
The meeting ends with the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe from Paris at 10.20pm and in between it looks a more straightforward TT than usual.
Storm Boy had all sorts of trouble getting a clear run behind Millennium Star last Saturday and should have gone close to running second. At the revised weights he must go close to winning, let alone running into the placings as the TT banker.
Millennium Star, who stays well and is going better than ever, has to be one of the main selections again along with the Tony Cruz-trained Chocolate Tycoon who would have needed his reappearance effort and has come back this season looking to have strengthened up and made overall good physical progress.
Invincible General is facing a weaker field than he beat last time and looks another of the main chances followed by Winning Luck and Good Fit with the last-named potentially well handicapped for his new trainer Derek Cruz.
Going down the card in the fifth, Dancing Spirit, Meridian Star, Born Dragon, Chutzpah and Lomond's Fay could be the five to take against the field. Boxing them together is a total of 10 bets.
Dancing Spirit is now with the Tony Millard stable and was a progressive sort last season. The night racing should ensure there's a bit of moisture around and just give the track a tiny bit of cushion which is what Dancing Spirit requires.
Meridian Star improved markedly for David Hayes last season and a recent trial suggests he could progress further this time round.
Born Dragon made strong late headway on his reappearance in a 1,000-metre dash down the Sha Tin straight and is another who did well last season and seems as if trainer Lawrie Fownes is going to get a bit more from him this campaign.
Chutzpah is an active sort who could go well fresh while Lomond's Fay had a tough run on the speed last time and did well to hold third.
Hornet, Scenic Wonder, Danswinner, Many Happy Returns, Surplus and Loyal Devotion look the pick of them in the seventh which concludes the TT.
Hornet goes in as he could lead by himself again and cling on for a place. Scenic Wonder shaped nicely on his seasonal debut and should strip fitter and appreciate the move to a mile. Danswinner has never looked better while Many Happy Returns should have won at the Valley last time when fourth to Sun Dancer, but was beaten by a sedate tempo and having to loop the field.
Surplus is racing at his peak while Loyal Devotion appeared to run out of hard racing condition when second to Hornet last time and, with a run under his belt, can be expected to reverse the form.
