Cruz looks to extend winning streak
Tony Cruz goes to Sha Tin this afternoon with outstanding chances of not only defending his seven-win lead on the Hong Kong trainers' premiership, but increasing it.
Cruz, who leads reigning premiership trainer John Size on a 33-26 scoreline, has runners in just six of the 10 races but, incredibly, five of them are favourites on overnight markets. And in the other race, the second event, his charge Bullish General is a clear-cut second favourite at $48 (for $10).
Cruz's favourites are Very Fit (race 1, $24), Split Seconds (race 6, $46), California Heart (race 7, $38), Floral Dynamite (race 8, $49) and Country Music (race 9, $35).
Arch rival Size may have a leaner representation but, as always, the incumbent title holder is never to be taken lightly. His best chances appear to be two Douglas Whyte mounts, Bountiful ($45 fav) in the fifth and Pearl Of India, a $49 second favourite in the final event but almost certain to be promoted to the top line of betting by weight of money today.
The C-Team will be without its first lieutenant this afternoon as the ever-consistent Felix Coetzee begins a two-meeting suspension.
Glyn Schofield takes over on Silent Witness's half-brother Very Fit in the afternoon's opener, a Class Four over 1,200 metres.
The Australian-bred three-year-old created a good impression on debut when second to the David Hayes-trained Tchaikovsky on November 21 but may have to settle for second best again if Dennis Yip Chor-hong has topweight Dragon And Gold back to his best.
Bullish General (Craig Williams) should get the Cruz show under way in the second, however, and the well-bred Danehill gelding looks good value at his overnight quote of $48.
Bullish General has now raced twice, finishing fourth on both occasions, but has been just one length and 11/2 lengths respectively from the winner.
The brother to Group winner Dr More will revel in the step up to 1,600 metres and with his natural pace, Williams should be able to give him the run of the race.
Schofield is also the pilot selected for Floral Dynamite, who has been freshened up since his disappointing sixth to Sambuca over this course and distance on October 30.
The five-year-old has been sprinting brilliantly in the mornings and is ready to land his first winner since transferring to the Cruz stable.
