VETERAN galloper Splendid Chance has been out of the winner's circle for a long time but he could bring the old year to a happy close for regular partners Peter Ng Bik-kuen and jockey Danny Lee in the seventh event at Sha Tin today, writes Robin Parke.
Splendid Chance is best known for winning over 1,400 metres and even less than that but there is no real reason to doubt that, at this advanced stage of his career, he is not capable of taking a Class Five, 1,600-metre event. For what it is worth, back in his griffin year in 1989 Splendid Chance actually ran second in the Kukri Trophy over this trip and has only tackled it once since.
Splendid Chance put in an excellent tune-up performance for today's restricted riders' event over his more favoured 1,400-metre trip in mid-January when making his debut for the season.
The race was won by All Happy from Hankow Star and Splendid Chance came from near the rear - he had three behind him midfield - to run on into fifth position at the finish.
Although he had worked reasonably well going into his debut, there had to be a certain amount of rustiness about the galloper who spent nearly all his career with the now de-licensed Kenny Kam.
New trainer Ng has taken his time with the old stager but has prepared him for this event and regular rider Lee has drawn well in barrier two.
