Retiring trainer Ivan Allan has won more than his fair share of silverware over the past decade in Hong Kong and appears to have a top chance of adding the $1.6 million Midland Realty Cup to the trophy cupboard with exciting prospect Scintillation.
The well-bred son of Danehill, bought for $2.6 million as the final lot at the 2002 International Sale, has already paid back the purchase price with earnings of $2.78 million and, by the end of today, prominent owners Hui Sai Fun and his wife should be showing a decent profit on their investment.
Scintillation has won his past three starts over 1,400 metres with such ease, he looks destined to represent the SAR later this year in the Hong Kong Mile. The exciting aspect to his most recent victory, when clocking 1:22.1, was how well he settled in behind the leaders for Douglas Whyte before cruising past his rivals as though he had joined in the race at the turn.
He still has so much to learn, yet is beating quality fields with authority. The Durban Demon has drawn ideally in gate seven, and from there he should be able to settle just behind the leaders in a forward position. There is also a slim chance this ride could be the one in which Whyte goes for his 100th winner this season and, if that is the case, don't expect any value in the market.
There should be more value in the quinella and Caspar Fownes' stable stalwart The Duke is the one that makes most appeal. He has failed to pick up prizemoney just twice in 11 starts this season and definitely had excuses when well beaten in the Derby, in which his stamina limitations were exposed over the 2,000 metres.
Since then, Fownes has freshened him up and the manner in which he won an all-weather dirt trial on June 1 suggested he is bang on target to return to his best.
David Hayes' Planet Ruler caught the eye in a trial on May 25, a positive piece of work in which he displayed considerable improvement. He has not competed since finishing fourth to Wintrow over 1,400 metres (March 13) but has clearly come back this preparation in better order. He would certainly rate a top chance today if able to repeat his early season form where he was runner-up to the likes of Silent Witness and Cheerful Fortune.