Our Lucky Baby can run opposition ragged
Our Lucky Baby has continued his struggles at Sha Tin racecourse, but looks set for a return to the winner's circle over his preferred 1,200m at Happy Valley in the final leg of tomorrow night's Triple Trio, with an estimated first prize of HK$3 million.
The Dennis Yip Chor-hung-trained speed machine is unbeaten in six outings over this course and distance - capping his first season of racing with four straight wins, before adding to those totals with victories in two of his first three runs this campaign.
After proving too hard to catch on September 16 in a Class Two race, the five-year-old failed to click in a 1,000m race at Sha Tin. But after returning to the city circuit, he was always working in the run from an outside gate and still came home much the best by 23/4 lengths on November 1 against in-form duo of Ultra Fantasy, a runner-up behind Sacred Kingdom in the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup, and Forever Elation.
A 10-point penalty put the five-year-old on a rating of 110 and without a suitable race over this track, but Yip has had to pass the time by keeping him ticking over with three unsuccessful sprint efforts at Sha Tin.
Our Lucky Baby has won for three different apprentices and Yip will give the leg up to rising 10-pound claimer Ben So Ting-hung, who did not get to experience the best of Our Lucky Baby in a Sha Tin run three starts back.
Perfect Style has been hitting the line nicely over this trip, including a win two starts back. He came up short over the 1,000m last start behind impressive Sweet Sanette, but looks a logical dual banker, while Royal Flush, Brilliant Chapter, Dim Sum, High Point and Norman Invader are other contenders.
In the opening leg, Royal Doctor looks a standout as he been itching for a taste of success with a placing in his four runs and a tongue tie has been added to get him over the final hurdle from an ideal gate four.
El Zonda will have to be ridden cold from his wide gate, but has hit top form with a rallying third and a win from his past two starts over this course and distance.
Longwah Rising, Towkay Flyer, Our Pegasus, High Return and Happee Gift are also worth considering.
In an open middle pin, Manfred Man Ka-leung's veteran Great Achievement has been enjoying a stellar campaign - winning twice over this trip and a solid third behind Noble Conqueror and Excellent Boy over the 1,800m.
He should be in the firing line throughout from gate three with capable apprentice Keith Yeung Ming-lun knocking off a crucial seven pounds.
Blue Sky, who is returning after an overdue win and has proven form over this trip, is a possible dual banker, while Soviet Pearl, Dumbarton Rock, Redragtoabull, Fluke, Irish Jig, Really Happy and White Jade are all capable of a top-three result.
