Scintillation to stay ahead of the pack
Danny Shum Chap-shing is the trainer to beat even though his dazzling galloper Scintillation will have to do today what has been beyond others in the Chinese Club Challenge Cup, 1,400 metres, at Sha Tin to post a win in the race coming off an outstanding performance at the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races.
Until Hidden Dragon's victory at odds-on last year in the race, the Chinese Club Challenge Cup was quickly becoming a graveyard for favourites but his victory held one vital difference - Hidden Dragon came into the race fresh at his first start since late November.
Run over 1,200 metres in prior years and often featuring horses returning quickly after the international races, the Cup has been the scene of some flat efforts from favourites.
In the 2003, Thunder and Cape Of Good Hope contested favouritism but they finished 10th and third respectively after returning from the Hong Kong Sprint.
They were beaten by Grand Delight, himself a runner in the Hong Kong Mile. A year earlier, Charming City was the warm favourite after running well in the Mile but failed to back up and finished eighth to surprise fresh lightweight, Our Class.
Today, Shum's Scintillation is sure to be sent out favourite by punters despite his big weight and wide draw after a brave fourth, beaten only a length, in the Mile and perhaps he is just the horse to put the records straight.
After being fitted with a hood last season by Ivan Allan, Scintillation had not been unplaced until his Mile run and strung together a series of impressive victories over today's course and distance.
He joined Shum for the new term and has not put a foot wrong, but today will be more a test of his capacity to back up than his ability because he certainly has as much of that as he requires.
And Shum has a ready-made second string to his bow with Town Of Fionn. While he too had a strong race on international day, it was not against the strength of foreign competition and he can be expected to hold form as he has at every start so far.
Posting the record of 11 starts for six wins and five placings, Town Of Fionn may not have the star quality of Scintillation but he is game and talented.
The genuinely fresh card in the pack is High Intelligent from John Size's yard. Headed towards the Derby, he has not raced since showing he is up to matching it with the top grade in the International Cup Trial, 2,000 metres, behind Ain't Here on November 14 but has trialled twice in that period.
The 1,400 metres is probably a touch sharp for him normally, but nice and fresh he could be the surprise packet in what promises to be a well-run race.
