That's a Good Lad, says Yiu after big debut
Trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fie unearthed a sprinter of high promise in Good Lad, who came from nearly last to win at his debut in the second race and it was far from unexpected.
'If he hadn't drawn in barrier 14, I would have been really confident,' said Yiu after watching Good Lad (Weichong Marwing) swamp Bacchus to score in brilliant time. 'Good Lad has been working with better class horses, including Victory Marble, and working very well.' Victory Marble was in Class One yesterday so the lead was a strong one for a Class Four race.
'I think this is a horse with plenty of improvement and I'm very pleased to win for his owners, who have always supported me,' Yiu said.
Meanwhile, Lawrie Fownes won with Zietengo Boy at long odds in race three but was rueing missing a double with his griffin The Duke. The Duke became pocketed after the saddle shifted on Solar Empire and his jockey, Howard Cheng, could do nothing but stay on board.
'The Duke found the line well when he got clear but the race was all over,' said Fownes, who had a better story to tell after Zietengo Boy's win. 'Halfway up the straight, I thought he would run second or third, but I really liked the way he got down and fought it out,' said Fownes.
'He had worked well and I knew he would improve on the firmer track, but I admit there was a concern with the big weight. His owners are happy - I told them he had an each way chance and tipped them the tierce and they've cleaned up.'
