Horace's Choice looks a good thing for bumper TT
The talented Horace's Choice may have been beaten more than 20 lengths at his last two starts, but with a return to 1,600 metres in the middle leg of Sunday's Triple Trio, he can bounce back to his brilliant best.
With the Jockey Club boosting the opening TT pool to HK$10 million, the main prize on offer is expected to peak at HK$20 million, and Horace's Choice looks a value banker with a significant drop in class.
The last time the Caspar Fownes-trained gelding raced in the Classic Mile he looked all over a winner before powerful Helene Mascot kicked strongly to prevail by a neck.
He was well fancied at his next outing in the Derby Trial, but failed to fire behind stablemate Green Birdie, with jockey Glen Boss suggesting the defeat was due to the four-year-old holding his breath.
He then took his place in the Hong Kong Derby and failed to stay the 2,000m, but showed he had taken no harm from the run when lining up in a trial two weeks ago.
Boss let Horace's Choice find his feet in the early stages of the 1,200m trial and was still spotting the leaders a good break as the field wheeled for home.
When asked for an effort, the three-time Sha Tin winner picked up instantly and ran home strongly to be beaten only a neck by Regency Dragon in sharp time.
From gate six on Sunday, Boss will likely park Horace's Choice in midfield, and he will only have to run up to his Classic Mile performance to be the one they all have to beat.
His biggest threat will come from emerging Sight Winner, despite the gifted gelding having to overcome the horror draw of gate 14.
The John Size-trained four-year-old had his winning sequence stopped by Helene Brilliant two starts back, but was right back to his best with a dominant victory last start.
Others entitled to consideration are Great Guy, Flying Tamari, Island Super and Mellifluous.
In the opening leg, Amazing Venture looks the obvious banker in a race light on legitimate winning chances.
The David Ferraris-trained gelding opened his winning account in brilliant style two starts back, before returning with excuses after being shuffled in the run.
He will likely take a more prominent position on this occasion and prove the one to beat, with his toughest rivals likely to come from New Chapter, Beautiful Choice, Expedikid and Heimori.
In the final leg, it's hard to go past Spring Sun when searching for the best banker option.
He showed good finishing speed to land his first success last start, and indicated he had retained his form well when trialling nicely behind Sacred Kingdom last Friday.
He strikes another suitable race and can continue his winning ways, while King Prawn Supreme, North Hill, Plan B, Glenealy Star and Many Gains must be kept safe.
