Luckless One Wee Acorn primed to make amends
Promising One Wee Acorn had little luck last start and, despite taking a rise in class, he should have little trouble making amends in the final leg of Sunday's Triple Trio at Sha Tin.
The David Ferraris-trained youngster stepped out for the first time on January 10 and showed a terrific turn of foot in the final stages to run over the top of his rivals and win by a widening margin.
He stepped out again 29 days later as a $34 favourite and was just starting to work into the race when he was held up for 100m, clearly being unfortunate not to finish a lot closer than seventh to Lucky Red.
With the rise in class, the three-year-old gets a 12-pound drop in weight and should secure a nice spot on the back of a solid speed.
Lucky Red meets One Wee Acorn seven pounds worse on this occasion, but shapes as a reliable double banker, while other worthy inclusions are Top News, Towkay Flyer, Destiny's Child and Holey Dollar.
In the opening leg, progressive Gallant Master fits the banker bill, given he should relish a rise to 1,800m for the first time.
The Caspar Fownes-trained three-year-old has been a gradual improver as the season has progressed, showing good fight under pressure to break his maiden status last start on the all-weather track.
He only rises four pounds for the victory, is set to get an easy time of things in the run after coming up with barrier one, and he should be able to repeat the dose under Jacky Tong Chi-kit.
Rain Of Thunder is a well-bred four-year-old heading in the right direction and he will also appreciate a rise in distance.
The relation to former champion Vengeance Of Rain put the writing on the wall two starts back, before losing his chance with a slow getaway last time. From gate three, he should obtain a nice spot on the back of the leaders and prove the main danger to Gallant Master. Other chances include Happy All Around, Mega Bullet and Win More.
In the middle pin, Legend has more ability than his record suggests, and with a rise in distance, he can open his winning account.
The David Hall-trained gelding turned in another sound effort in an unsuitable race behind Noble De Lago, before indicating he was looking for this trip when closing off nicely last start.
He will likely be patiently ridden from a wide barrier, but expect him to charge home over his rivals.
An appealing double banker is First Baby, while the other leading contenders are Mutual Friendship, Our Lucky Baby, Happy Master, Sea Prince and Kimberley.
