Dr More to show true colours
Ricky Yiu Poon-fie's Dr More can show what he is made of today by taking the eighth event on the mixed card at Sha Tin, which features Fairy King Prawn's Yasuda Kinen bid in Japan as the fifth of the 11 races.
There are two schools of thought regarding Dr More, who was among the more promising griffins from last season's batch. One is that the classy son of Danehill has just needed time to find his feet this season, while the doubters say perhaps Dr More is not quite as good as originally perceived and has simply been running at a similar level as he was as a griffin.
There is certainly some merit in the latter argument, but he has tended to do one or two things wrong in the past and, when he learns to race more generously, the best will be seen. His effort in defeat behind V-Can last time was certainly his effort for some time and he meets a similar field today. From barrier three, he should get a nice run on the pace, where he usually settles.
One of the main dangers will be Loyal Devotion, who is effectively dropping down a class. He put in a fair effort on dirt last time but should be suited by a move back to 1,400 metres on turf, being a course-and-distance winner. Alex Yu will not have an easy task to get cover from a wide barrier, but Loyal Devotion should be right in the finish even if he has to cover extra ground.
Comme D'Habitude will be partnered by Douglas Whyte, whose rides all have to be given respect. The David Oughton-trained gelding was staying on nicely over the minimum trip last time in a fashion that suggested he will be well suited by the move up to 1,400 metres. He, too, has drawn poorly in barrier 12 but has a light weight of 114 pounds and is clearly one for the shortlist.
Ivan Allan appears to have a solid chance with Mentor, who has been showing steady improvement since arriving here this season. He was clearly beaten by a better horse in Universal Charger last time, and the slight concern is that he strikes stronger opposition today, but he should get a soft run through the race from barrier four. He also appears to be hitting form at a time when many others in the field may be looking for a break.
Of the rest, Red Devil could certainly make the frame. Being a back marker, the wide gate will not worry him but he is always going to need a solid along with a good deal of luck.
The final event of the day looks an exciting contest with last-start winners Supreme Star, Telecom Babe and China Legend all bidding to follow up. Supreme Star will be taking on open class company for the first time but, judging by the way some of the other griffins have fared, he has a solid each-way chance providing he does not get too wound up in the preliminaries.
Telecom Babe was given a masterful ride by Whyte last time when the bridle almost came off and the champion jockey-elect had to nurse him to victory, and that alone entitles him to improvement. He is a progressive sort who should be suited by the step up in distance.
China Legend finally scored last time after a string of minor placings and, while this event appears to have a little more depth, he is on the upgrade and must be given a good deal of respect.
Lawrie Fownes' Saintly Partners has finished in the frame on his last outings without winning, including runner-up placings on his last two outings, and he is another who will be right there when the whips are cracking.
