O'Sullivan's yard continues to amaze
Paul O'Sullivan has figured regularly in this column recently with his yard starting to hit form, and the champion New Zealand trainer clearly has a nice prospect with Top Brass, who was noted as a potential future winner after a solid qualifying trial at Sha Tin yesterday.
The International Sale purchase travelled ominously well for Robbie Fradd in the 1,000 metres turf trial, doing his best work inside the final 250m when very little pressure was applied.
The son of Volksraad settled just worse than midfield, but made up late ground and went to the line with plenty to spare.
The heat was won by Andy Leung Ting-wah's Classic Horse, who was urged along inside the final 400m but responded nicely.
The son of Hennessy is bred for speed and, on the evidence of this trial, should not have any trouble in getting away with a race in Class Four.
Peter Ng Bik-kuen's Superb is open to more improvement than most, given he looked a shade wayward in the concluding stages, but nonetheless was relatively impressive and deserves a mention.
The next three trials were held over 1,050m on the all-weather surface and Fradd was the jockey to follow again, this time aboard Brilliant Flash for Caspar Fownes. He has progressed considerably since his only run this term (November 6) and was always firmly on the bridle, eventually finishing second to Native Dream.
The winner was pushed out and given a serious hit-out by Gerald Mosse. It was a sound piece of work from Native Dream, a beaten favourite when he last competed. Based on this trial, he deserves another chance.
Douglas Whyte had a vice-like grip on Wealthy Treasure for the duration of the trial and the John Size-trained galloper appears to be working as well as ever.
The third heat was steadily run, but Whyte's mount Win Again was worth noting for the future. He is due to run this weekend and based on this piece of work, must be given plenty of respect. He has improved leaps and bounds since his local debut back in October.
Similarly, Ricky Yiu Poon-fie-trained Daneman Hill (rated 52) has progressed since his only start, and given very little pressure was applied by Eddie Lai, it can be considered a pleasing piece of work.
Fownes won the final trial with HK Island Victory, who continues to impress. The sophomore trainer has clearly improved the gelding since taking over at the helm and he does look in magnificent order. John Size's Shogun came through the trial with flying colours, displaying his usual zest.
ONES TO NOTE:
Top Brass, Classic Horse, Win Again
