Fownes trio hold the key for TT players
Caspar Fownes is the trainer to stick with in all three legs of the Triple Trio tomorrow at Sha Tin and in particular in the final leg with Pionero, who has made a positive impact from three starts.
The progressive galloper has finished no worse than second, and won well over 1,400 metres on February 2 beating Check Mate.
Since then, Pionero has moved well in a trial with the blinkers applied. He will benefit from the gear change.
Gold Sandfield finished a creditable third to Speeding Molly over the Sha Tin mile on his last start and has a good chance this time around.
Able Mars is a multiple winner over 1,400m and given that he showed a return to form last time is another who has place claims.
Global Fortune has hit the frame on his last two starts over the course and distance and will fill a minor place despite the wide draw. Lightly raced Plenty Of Heart has shown some potential from each of his two starts and is open to further improvement.
Fownes's Socrates, who has proven highly competitive on all five starts, looks the top pick in the middle pin.
He will have no trouble with the drop back to 2,000m following a good effort when fourth to Happy Contender over the same distance last time out and should be right in the finish.
Spectacular Hit and Sniper finished third and fifth respectively in the same race and based on that effort must be given due respect. Last-start dirt winner Show Bravely will have no problem switching back to turf and he looks a good chance of hitting the frame.
Fownes's Telepride makes plenty of appeal as banker material in the opening leg following a string of sound performances in the lowest grade. He has won over 1,400m on February 5 and should prove hard to get past despite the outside gate.
The drop in grade is a major bonus for Smiling Forest, who has fallen to a competitive mark and based on recent form should prove highly competitive. Natural Model also drops to Class Five and his recent form has been good enough to suggest he can fill a minor place.
Lucky Master is well handicapped and he is another to consider.The logical choice for banker in the third event is in-form Picture Perfect. The blinkers will be applied for the first time and he looks the type who will benefit from the gear change. Lucky Stallion has the visor re-applied and the trial winner looks spot-on to run a big race.
Progressive Lucky Danske has enough ability to hit the frame along with Gallant Falcon, who needs to defy the draw.
