Pearl's chance to shine
The Tony Cruz stable is in a purple patch of form highlighted by a four-timer last weekend and the trainer's domination of the feature events can continue tonight with Nasa Pearl, who looks a solid chance in the St Andrew's Challenge Quaich.
There was plenty to like about his effort in defeat behind in-form Perfetto over 2,000 metres at Sha Tin last time when beaten in the bob of the heads after a well-rated ride from Eddie Lai. A key factor in his favour here is the step up to 2,200 metres, which should be even more suitable for him.
As Felix Coetzee may have every chance to dictate the pace, Nasa Pearl looks well suited by the move to the city venue. He can be forgiven his failure in his only attempt over the course and distance, as he struck a yielding track.
With the anticipated good track tonight and the fact he is receiving weight from his main rivals, Nasa Pearl looks well poised to notch his first local victory.
The major threat can be expected to come from Mighty Hugo, who finished just half a length back in third place behind Perfetto last time after going hammer and tongs with Nasa Pearl all the way down the straight.
This son of Zabeel should have no problems with the extra furlong, and his consistency is underlined by the fact he has hit the frame in each of his past six outings. He handles the city venue well and, as he is likely to once again get the run of the race, he must be given strong winning claims.
Xlerate started a short-priced favourite in the same Sha Tin race won by Perfetto but finished fifth, having been left a touch flat-footed when the leaders sprinted for home. It was a sound effort and he should benefit more than most from a return to Happy Valley, having never missed the frame from three attempts there, including a second placing over the course and distance. Interestingly, Xlerate's bodyweight has increased by 20 pounds since his last run - a sign that he is thriving because he certainly hasn't missed any work and his gallops have been sound.
Also competing in the Perfetto race was Sprinter, who ran very well in rattling home from near last on the turn to finish sixth, beaten 31/2 lengths.
The steady tempo did not help his cause and finishing as close as he did was a more-than-satisfactory performance. The only slight concern is he has failed to fill a placing from three Happy Valley starts.
Greenmore was beaten out of sight behind Perfetto last time and, based on that run, is hard to recommend.
Similarly, Top Prize finished well down the track in that race as well, and although Sean Woods has opted to apply the blinkers for the first time, it is difficult to envisage the gear change bringing about sufficient improvement. Prize Winner was having his second start for new trainer David Ferraris when beaten 43/4 lengths into 10th place. He meets several rivals on similar terms this time round and should meet a similar fate.
David Hayes has opted to utilise the services of crack apprentice Thomas Yeung Kai-tong in a bid to alleviate the weight carried by Songs Of Praise.
After the 10-pound claim, only one of his 11 competitors will carry less weight. Songs of Praise has been in excellent form all season but has never been quite as effective around the city circuit, which is cause for some concern. He may have to settle for a minor placing.
Rainbow And Gold won his only start over the course and distance, although that was almost three ago. He simply isn't the force of old, but there have been signs he has fallen to a competitive mark, based on the evidence of his first run back this season when fifth to Keen Marshal.
He could be a value chance to hit the frame but will need a strong tempo.
One that must be kept safe in multiples is Elephant Dance, who finished a head second to Snowstorm over the 2,200 metres on this course last season.
That is definitely good enough to win this event, and as he finished a respectable sixth behind Happy Valley specialist Dashing Champion last time, he looks in reasonable form.
At the bottom of the weights is Seasons Treasure, who has never managed to hit the frame in three Valley starts but did catch the eye with a fast-finishing fifth behind Strategic Select over 1,650 metres on October 29. Usually, Seasons Treasure is a back-marker and that style of racing is rarely conducive to success around the city course. The best he could hope for is a minor placing.
Cruz has an excellent chance to land the final event with Bullish Luck, who finished a game second to International Mile winner Lucky Owners last time out. That was an outstanding performance on his seasonal reappearance, and with more improvement he may prove too strong on his first outing around Happy Valley.
Earlier in the evening, Dennis Yip Chor-hong's Cosmo Success is well placed to win his third successive race over the Valley mile following two dominant wins. Remarkably, both his previous wins have come in this grade and he gets a rare opportunity to complete a winning hat-trick while remaining in the same class.
