Prebble, Hall hold aces in first and final legs of TT
The Brett Prebble-David Hall combination is riding the crest of a wave at present and their winning run looks set to continue when they team up with two outstanding chances in Dr Candy and Silver Mark in the first and final legs respectively of tomorrow afternoon's Triple Trio at Sha Tin.
With tomorrow's TT being bolstered by a HK$905,122 carryover from last Sunday's international meeting at Sha Tin, the pool on offer is expected to reach over HK$5 million and the Australian duo look set to add to their recent successes on Absolute Champion in the Hong Kong Sprint and Wednesday night's emphatic winner, Thunder Flash.
Dr Candy has managed to find one better in his two appearances to date but the Easy Rocking gelding gets his chance to score a well-deserved win after coming up with the prized inside alley.
A slow getaway proved costly on his debut at Happy Valley when he found Million Chase a bit too strong and he threw away his winning chance late in the race last start when wanting to hang in under pressure.
He should have derived real fitness benefit from the two experiences and given he finds a race without a great deal of depth, he should be able to open his winning account.
The biggest threat will be Happy Master, despite needing some early luck after coming up with the poor barrier draw of gate 12 for Gerald Mosse.
The Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained gelding placed in his first two runs of the season before looking desperately unlucky not to score last time after being held up on numerous occasions in the straight.
He only needs a touch of luck to be right in the finish, while the others entitled to consideration are Luminous, with a drop in class, Golden Win and Safety First, who turned in a much-improved effort last start.
The middle pin looks a bit tricky given there are several legitimate chances but judging by the way Medic Legion is racing, he appeals as a banker despite the probability he is likely to be coming from the tail of the field turning in.
The Paul O'Sullivan-trained gelding landed his first win two starts back when coming home with a barnstorming finish and he lost no marks last time when narrowly beaten by the capable Easy Punch.
He looks to have trained on well from the run and should prove a bit too strong for his dangers of Stilton, Kingsgate Glory, Sohna, Forever Riches and Multimighty.
While Silver Mark is still chasing his first win in the final leg, he looks very well placed on the back of two solid performances this time and with a rise to 2,000m.
The Way Of Light five-year-old resumed with a solid fourth to Liaobuqi in a leader-dominated race before indicating he was on the verge of breaking through last start when finishing second to Harry Harry at Happy Valley.
He should be at his peak after two runs from a spell, park in a nice position on the back of the speed and be able to finish over the top of his rivals. The biggest danger will come from impressive last-start winner Durable despite taking a rise in class.
The Caspar Fownes-trained gelding finally produced the goods when leading all the way to score in effortless fashion and he will be the one they all have to catch again, given he should make the speed from a good draw under Manoel Nunes.
Other worthy inclusions are Primiata, with a rise in distance and a good draw, last-start winner Sea Treasure, despite switching to turf, Happy Heroes and the lightly weighted Three Clubs.
Apprentice Paul Lo Pak-hin was yesterday suspended for three race days after stewards concluded an inquiry into the severe buffeting received by winner Noble Conqueror and Don Ricardo in the final race at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Evidence was taken from Olivier Doleuze (rider of Noble Conqueror) and Felix Coetzee (Don Ricardo) as well as Lo (who rode Able Knight) and his allocated trainer Sean Woods. The suspension has been deferred until after next Wednesday's Happy Valley meeting.
