Blinkers can bring the best out of Gallant Master
Improving Gallant Master, with the addition of blinkers, can return to the winner's enclosure in the final leg of Sunday afternoon's Triple Trio, for which the pool could reach HK$20 million.
The Caspar Fownes-trained three-year-old opened his winning account two starts back on the all-weather track after enjoying all the favours in the run and was far from disgraced last start when rising to 1,800m for the first time after being briefly held up in the straight.
Brett Prebble is taking over the mount from regular rider Jacky Tong Chi-kit (pictured) and blinkers only need to bring about minimal improvement in the Encosta De Lago gelding for him to bounce back to winning form.
Mission is yet to place in seven starts this season but is worth a second look with blinkers being reapplied and the advantage of a 10-pound claim for apprentice Derek Leung Ka-chun.
The Dennis Yip Chor-hong-trained gelding hinted he was on the improve with a respectable effort behind promising Home Treasure two starts back, before turning in a one-paced effort when fifth to Ocean Prince.
The lightly framed gelding will appreciate a 12-pound drop in weight, should enjoy favours in the run after coming up with gate three and he is well placed on his best form.
Others capable of getting into the action are Diligent II, Winbo, Win More, Johnson and Sunny Smiles.
In the opening leg, Super Bobo fits the banker bill after indicating he was on the verge of a success with a good effort in an unsuitable race last start.
The Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained gelding's form has been indifferent this season but he closed off impressively last start to finish third to Daylight Express, who has since showed the form to be legitimate by winning again.
The four-year-old will appreciate returning to 1,600m, should secure a nice run on the back of the speed from gate four and provide Eric Saint-Martin with a timely winner.
Little Big Boy's recent efforts suggest he is on the verge of another success and he shapes up as a solid double banker, while other worthy inclusions are Mythic Steed, Decagonal, Master Master and Cheerful Happiness.
In the middle pin, Go Lucky Go looks a promising type and he should have little trouble in landing his first success. The Yip-trained gelding turned in an outstanding debut performance behind Grand Dragon, who again looked a nice prospect when winning last weekend, but he peaked in the final stages last time after being slightly slow from the gates and then bustled forward.
He will likely be ridden more patiently this time by Prebble and can finish over the top of his rivals.
Smart Knight has performed well in his two starts and with a rise in distance he can be the big improver, while others entitled to consideration are China Hero, Amazing Fortune, Marble Red and the poorly drawn Steel Nerves.
On the rise
From this many starts, Gallant Master has won once, on February 15 when he had Jacky Tong on board: 14
