Promising Town Of Fionn has the edge on his rivals
Rookie trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing has an excellent chance of landing the spoils this evening in the Volunteers' Challenge Cup with his highly promising prospect Town Of Fionn, who bids to make it two wins from three starts.
The talented son of Snippets coasted to victory over 1,200 metres at Happy Valley on January 7 when easily accounting for Class Four opposition. He received a nine-point penalty for that victory, but leaves the impression he can handle the rise in grade tonight. Vincent Sit retains the ride aboard the chestnut gelding, and from gate six should have every chance to prevail.
The depth of competition is strong, and a sound case can be made for Down For The Count who has been in outstanding form recently. He won a 1,000 metres contest at the city venue back on December 10 before finishing a game second to Arabian Wager over the same trip. He will need a tactically astute ride from Shane Dye from gate eleven, but the extra furlong is a bonus and he must be kept safe.
One of the more consistent gallopers in this field is Kowloon Star, who has picked up prize money on all six starts this term, with two victories among them. Although he has failed to hit the frame on both Happy Valley starts, they came last season when he was not in good form and it would be a mistake to read too much into them. The 10-pound claim of Thomas Yeung Kai-tong brings him in well weighted, and he is one for the shortlist.
Five of the twelve entrants for tonight's feature race took part in the Happy Valley turf trials on January 17, and one of the winners from those trials was Derek Cruz's Money Strong. Unfortunately he has a tough task from the outside barrier this evening, and while his work has been solid, the best he could hope for would be a minor placing.
Sparky finished second to him in the trial, and certainly hit the line with plenty of zest in that piece of work. Though he has failed to hit the frame all season, this is his first time in Class Three for some time. He is a winner over the course and distance and cannot be entirely discounted.
Able Eagle also took part in the trial won by Money Strong, and shaped very nicely indeed in that heat. He looks fit and well, and the return to the city venue is a major plus.
Helene Elegance also won a trial at the city course earlier this month in a solid piece of work. His form this season has been consistent, without being overly impressive. The question for him this evening is whether Robbie Fradd can fully utilise gate two and get a soft lead. If so he will prove hard to catch but he usually finds very little under pressure and he appeals more as a place chance.
Debutant Globe Mark finished a few lengths adrift of Helene Elegance in the trial on January 17 and it was a sound effort without him being pressured. All six of his starts in New Zealand came over 1,200 metres where he never finished out of the first four and managed two victories. It is a difficult assignment to win on debut here, but one positive for Globe Mark is that he did win first up in New Zealand.
Last-start winner Beauty Plus looks well treated after receiving a six-point penalty for his last win, given he was forced to sit at least three wide with no cover for the six-furlong journey. Douglas Whyte has stuck with him, and although he may be forced to cover extra ground again, he cannot be ruled out.
Amo has the best record over the course and distance from any runner in this line-up, having won three and finished in the frame four more times from twelve attempts. The drop back to his pet trip is ideal and from gate one he must be respected.
It is difficult to make a solid case for Sensible Way, who has not been in the best of form this season. His last-win rating was the same as tonight (70), and although he faces weaker opposition his recent form has not been good enough. Healthy Fruits looks safely held in this event with the drop back to 1,200 metres. His form has shown promise, but he may need more time and ground before being followed.
