Griffin race stands out on rain-affected Sha Tin card
Another day in May and another mediocre meeting on Sunday at Sha Tin with the lone highlight, a very solid Class One on paper, rendered pointless by the weather conditions so black bookers were again tough to spot.
Griffin winner ran good times and sectionals and that form should prove to be sound, with second, third and fourth all worthwhile behind a smart victor.
John Moore was once king of the griffin races, and unearthed Group One performers in them back when there were enough to make that crown worth having, but he has understandably shifted focus elsewhere as the juvenile events have declined.
Nevertheless, he produced a decent griffin in Dashing Fellow last year who has developed into a very decent three-year-old now and should be even better next season.
could be a horse on the same path after a nice debut in fourth place on Sunday.
With the disadvantage of a low gate, the son of Exceed And Excel worked across to sit in the lead line three off the fast lane on the outside rail and boxed on well enough at the finish. He had had just one trial going into the race, looked quite green in that and looks sure to come on for the race physically and mentally at least as much as those who beat him home.
Also showing improvement from his first trial to his second then to his runner-up spot on the weekend was Tony Cruz-trained . He had the benefit of the fast lane, but still showed speed and tenacity to hold off more experienced Happy Chappy for second place in the last 100m.
In the second of the Class Four 1,200m contests, perhaps is worth a black book entry, returning from a four-month break to challenge strongly before his second to Sensation, holding off ultra-consistent Golden Chopsticks, who already has a firm place in our horses to follow.
The Ricky Yiu Poon-fai-trained three-year-old Newswire Free did look to have a good preparation going into it and the betting suggested he was fancied to run well despite the break, but he is still lightly raced and should have more upside.
