Promising Danzulu can make amends with his luxury weight
Danzulu may have let his supporters down last start, but they are well advised to step up to the plate again when the promising gelding goes around under a postage stamp weight in the Cheong Wan Handicap (1,400m).
The David Hall-trained gelding scored an ultra-impressive win at his debut last season, before turning in a terrific performance in the Juvenile Sprint Trophy.
The half-brother to Group One winner Grand Zulu originally took a forward spot, was squeezed back to a midfield position as his rivals settled, and then copped a bad check that put him out of business.
His performance to pick himself up again to finish a close-up sixth behind Master Elite was full of merit to indicate he had a big heart, despite his small size.
He returned on November 30 and turned in an terrific effort under 133 pounds to finish second to classy Moon Chaser, beating home the John Moore-trained Palais D'Or, who has since franked the form by landing two victories.
Danzulu stepped to Class Three for the first time last start and never looked like getting into the action, but the effort can be excused as he was checked out of the barriers and gave away a big start in a race that ended up being dominated by Regency Horse.
Although beaten four lengths, the final stages of Danzulu's race was solid and also indicated he would have no trouble stepping up to today's distance of 1,400m.
Hall's decision to call on promising apprentice Derek Leung Ka-chun looks another bonus as after his claim, Danzulu will carry the luxury weight of only 104 pounds.
From gate seven, Danzulu should be able to take a closer position in the run and it will be no surprise to see him power right over the top of his rivals.
Eight Plus Nine may not have reached the heights he promised some 16 months ago, but he looks the main danger on the back of a luckless performance last start.
The Almond Lee Yee-tat-trained gelding showed he was coming back to form with a solid second to Plan B two starts back, before looking unfortunate not to take the main prize last outing when fifth to Momentous.
The five-year-old was held up at a crucial stage of the race, and little doubt without the traffic problems, he would have gone very close to winning.
He will likely be ridden patiently from gate eight by Zac Purton, but expect him to be charging to the line in the closing stages.
Merry Way from the Paul O'Sullivan yard is showing good promise and should be at his peak after two runs, while the other main contender is the Tony Cruz-trained Dream Team, despite having to give weight away all around.
The four-year-old Danzulu is carrying a postage stamp weight of: 104
