High-flying Kiwi plans to go first class after another treble

NEW Zealand champion jockey Lance O'Sullivan notched his second treble in 10 days with another exhilarating display at Sha Tin yesterday.

O'Sullivan has zoomed up the table and was in top form when punching home Port Hope (5-1) in the opening event, Peace Gallery (8-1) in the third and last start winner Sailing (11-1) who repeated the effort in the nightcap.

There was an understandable bounce in the Kiwi's stride as he left the weighing room and he said: 'I am flying back to New Zealand tonight on a quick visit and I will be back on Thursday. After this I won't have to fly economy!' In more serious vein, O'Sullivan enthused over the performance of the youngster Port Hope who accounted for Classa Speed (5-1) in a good finish to the 1,400-metre event which saw favourite Shanxi Treasure (5-2) run third.

'I have always had a regard for the horse and I have no doubt that in time he is going to be very good over longer trips than this. He will be a much better horse next season when he fills out but he does have real ability,' said O'Sullivan.

Trainer Lawrie Fownes, who prepared Port Hope and Peace Gallery, echoed his retained jockey's sentiments and said: 'He has a lot of natural speed but I think Port Hope is going to be very good at a mile and beyond. I wouldn't be asking him to go to say 2,000 metres until he is four but there is definite scope there.' Cruise Control took off in the griffin race to streak about 12 lengths clear but, not surprisingly, ran out of steam in the straight and was collared by Classa Speed, ridden right out by Mick Kinane.

Port Hope, still looking green, got it all together in the final stages to win well.

Peace Gallery finally ran out a convincing winner in the Class Three, 1,600-metre event with O'Sullivan sitting hard against him for much of the trip.