With a run under his belt, Jewellery can sparkle
Unique Jewellery may have had his winning streak come to an end when resuming from a break, but expect him to be back to his best in the final leg of Sunday's Triple Trio at Sha Tin.
With the TT failing to go off after a tricky set of results last weekend, the prize on offer is expected to reach HK$13 million, and Unique Jewellery looks a standout banker in a race light on winning chances.
The promising John Size-trained gelding was beaten into third place when making his debut last season, but then reeled off four wins on the trot to show himself a horse destined to win decent races.
He resumed three weeks ago over 1,400 metres at Sha Tin, 48 pounds heavier than his previous outing, and looked all over a winner before his condition gave out in the final stages, finishing fourth to Imperial Applause.
He will have derived great benefit from that outing, Douglas Whyte should slide forward from gate 13 to camp on the speed, and he will be the one they all have to catch.
His main danger, and a most appealing double banker, is the David Hall-trained Elite Champion.
The four-year-old was unlucky not to be in the finish first-up from a long break after being hopelessly held up in the straight, and his last effort to finish third to High Point was solid. He should be at his peak following the two runs, will appreciate the distance rise, and he also looks to have the makings of a promising type.
Others worth including are Rice Field, Hurricane Dash and Singing Diners, while Able Dragon and Beauty Forever created some interest at their debuts.
The opening leg looks tricky, but Crush On You fits the banker bill at his first attempt at 2,000m.
The five-year-old seems to have come solid this time in, with his last three performances having plenty of merit. The way he has been hitting the line suggests the distance rise could be right up his alley and expect him to get home over the top of his rivals.
His toughest opposition will come from Sambuoyant, Jolly Wongchoy, Meath, Perfect Match and Zephyrus.
In the middle pin, it's hard to go past Monte Cristo, after his impressive winning return.
The Andreas Schutz-trained five-year-old came with a withering burst from the tail of the field to take the prize, and the form has been franked with Champion Lad coming out of the race to win his next start.
He will likely be patiently ridden again, despite jumping from gate two, but expect him to finish hard and get over the top of his main dangers Real Special, Special Dragon, Wait For Me and Best Power.
