Cruz, Chadwick and a Champion to rule in National Day Cup

Matthew Chadwick took his first black-type win four years ago on Tony Cruz-trained Egyptian Ra in the National Day Cup (1,400 metres) and the two men look the ones to beat again on Tuesday with Bullish Champion.

The win by habitual leader Egyptian Ra showcased a brilliant ride by the then apprentice, who was patient about making his way to the top of the race at the 800m, instead of burning his mount to get there, and it proved the difference in a close finish.

Eight-year-old Egyptian Ra won the race off a rating of 126 and with a Group One win already on his record, entering the final season of his career, but Cruz and Chadwick will be hoping that Bullish Champion is a horse at an earlier stage and perhaps with all that still before him.

The gelding has been a work of slow progress in his more than two and a half years in Hong Kong, with an injury to his left fore tendon delaying his start and then a similar injury on his right fore leg in May, 2012. The bay then missed a year’s racing after reinjuring both tendons this time last year.

Cruz seems to have got on top of those problems for the time being and a sound Bullish Champion still has some scope to take a role in the highest grades – one run still stands out in his form when he pushed Glorious Days right to the line in the Chinese New Year Cup in 2012 – but for Tuesday it will be enough if he can put himself on the Group Three scoreboard.

As he has several times recently in these races, Cruz holds the key to the pace, with Bullish Champion, Blazing Speed and Penglai Xianzi the go-forward horses.

Penglai Xianzi isn’t always reliable at the jump, Bullish Champion has shown himself just as effective sitting behind one, so Dicky Lui Cheuk-yin might find himself with the front on Blazing Speed, but Bullish Champion certainly can lead if things tumble that way.

With a solid second this season already under his belt and a good weight pull over the major achievers, Bullish Champion will take all the running down in the final 200m.

John Moore may not have the strength of team he often has in the features but Admiration (Tye Angland) was the beaten favourite in this event last year off a 123 rating and looks a danger fresh, as he finds himself well handicapped if not well drawn.

Rainbow Chic (Zac Purton) looks an interesting runner down lower in the weights, too. He is more of a middle-distance runner but just the type to unleash a big sprint first-up if circumstances fall his right.