Whyte holds all aces as Fast Winner set to get TT off to a flier
Fast Winner has been a transformed horse since the addition of a one-eyed blinker and he should notch his third win in the opening leg of Sunday's Triple Trio at Sha Tin.
With the Jockey Club boosting the opening pool to HK$16 million, the main prize is expected to top HK$30 million, and Fast Winner is primed to get players off to a flying start with a return to his preferred course and distance.
Trainer John Size made the vital gear change at Fast Winner's fourth start for the stable and the results were instant, with the five-year-old dishing out a solid beating to his rivals to break his maiden status.
He was heavily backed at his next start on the all-weather track, but was right out of luck after knuckling out of the barriers and copping an early check, with his effort to be beaten only two lengths behind Newswire Too being outstanding.
He wasted little time in making amends, fronting up 15 days later and scoring a hollow victory, but had little luck last time over 1,000m after failing to overcome a wide barrier.
He looks perfectly placed with a return to the Sha Tin 1,200m circuit, should bounce straight to the lead under the guidance of Douglas Whyte, and looks an outstanding chance to run his rivals ragged.
His main danger, and an attractive double banker, is well-drawn Optic King, despite failing to notch a win in the past 14 months. The Peter Ng Bik-keun-trained gelding performed with merit behind Fast Winner after being posted off the track, before coming up short behind Not Quite Perfect after having every chance.
He should get the run of the race again and prove the toughest rival for Fast Winner, with other worthy inclusions being Kimberley, Newswire Too, Single Malt and Mr Floodlight.
The middle pin looks tricky, but it is worth chancing You Gotta Pay at his first start. The Size-trained gelding trialled three times in Australia, and has created a good impression in three heats here. The three-year-old should take a prominent position from a good draw under Whyte and won't have to be any star to take the main prize.
Power Return takes a drop in class and looks set to be a big improver. Although he hasn't shown a great deal in five starts, he hinted he was on the improve when winning a June 2 trial, and this is the most suitable race he has struck. Others who attract attention are Smart Knight, with blinkers added, Record High, High Return and Guan Dao.
In the final leg, promising stayer Prince Kalamoun looks to have found an ideal race to land his first success and make the TT a clean sweep for Whyte, who returns from suspension. The Sean Woods-trained gelding did a solid job behind Man In The Mirror two starts back, given the race wasn't run to suit, and he stayed on well last outing at Happy Valley. Staying is obviously his forte and he looks to have a bright future.
Fat Choy Ichiban, who has really come solid late in the season, looks the clear danger. Others worth entertaining are Top Honor, Fat Dragon, Billion, New Chapter and Handsome Target. The potential surprise packet is Dash Ahead, should any rain prevail.
