Able Prince proves he's a sprint star in the making
One of the more exciting aspects to the meeting held at Sha Tin last weekend was the comprehensive win of Able Prince, who annihilated quality opposition over 1,000 metres at Sha Tin (race 508) when clocking the excellent time of 56.1 seconds.
The significance of this time cannot be undervalued, given the track was officially rated as good-to-yielding, and the other times on the day certainly reflected that was the case. Able Prince kept his perfect record intact down the straight course, and his time was a remarkable 0.8 seconds inside standard time over the course and distance for Class Two.
Admittedly, Able Prince was on the better part of the track but the way he cruised to victory suggested he is headed for the very top and he does look another budding sprint star in the making.
In the same event, fourth-placed Red Power showed marked improvement from his only two previous local starts and the application of the blinkers clearly made a world of difference to him.
Flying Sprinter displayed a shade of improvement from his debut to finish second to Top Health over 1,200 metres (race 502). He had no trouble handling the track condition and there should be a race for him before the end of the season. Debutant In The Bank ($31) was a beaten favourite, but still looked sound in the saddling paddock before hand and decidedly green at different stages of the race; there is bundles of improvement left in him.
Gear changes were very much the order of the day at the meeting, where several winners showed marked improvement including Glorious Rhythm, who had the blinkers applied for the first time. He rattled home to win over 1,400 metres (race 503) in good style and can win again in the same grade.
There were clearly excuses for Bountiful, who was caught wide without cover over the Sha Tin mile (race 505). The fact that he stuck on gamely to finish within three-quarters of a length of the winner Country Dragon was simply outstanding. He is entered to run over a longer journey this weekend and must be kept safe.
There was a touch of class about the win of Inside Mail, who coasted home to victory (race 506) under a confident ride from Gerald Mosse. Runner-up Champ Dragon had no reply inside the final furlong, but the pair drew well clear of their rivals and it would be no surprise if both managed to hold their own the next time they appear.
Tiber ran very well in defeat in his first outing (race 509) since finishing second in the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby last month. He conceded six pounds to Visorhill, who won with a bit in reserve. The winner was suited by the track conditions and the pace of the race, but like so many from Ivan Allan's yard, is in cracking form.
David Hayes-trained Ain't Here found it difficult with the steady tempo, but confirmed the form from the Derby to finish in fourth, and the ground out wide where he made his finishing run did not provide much joy to any runners later in the programme.
Track conditions were ideal for wet track specialist Wealthy Treasure, who came with a well-timed run to land the spoils over 1,400 metres in the final event (race 510). There was marked improvement shown by South African sprinter Sambuca, who proved hard to run down. The Tony Millard-trained import has settled in quickly to his new environment and it should not be too long before he notches his first local win.
ONES TO NOTE: Red Power, Bountiful, Sambuca.
