TALENTED New Zealand rider Larry Cassidy has quickly adapted to racing life in Hong Kong and took his early season tally to three when progressive Express Duke (2-1 favourite) made short work of the third event on the Sha Tin night card.
Express Duke continued the excellent early season form of Cassidy's retaining trainer, Alex Wong Siu-tan, and there is no reason to doubt that the pairing are in line for a very worthwhile campaign.
This Class Four, 1,200-metre event may well turn out to be of significance as not only did Express Duke give every indication of going up the grades, but the runner-up Professionalkiller is going to take the same route.
Express Duke was arguably going over what is now his best distance but Professionalkiller, handled by Douglas Whyte, is definitely looking for a lot further.
This was Professionalkiller's second lifetime run and trainer Ricky P. F. Yiu has plenty to work with in this American-bred three-year-old who came from a fair way back to be going solidly at the line.
Express Duke was also starting for only the second time and he had obviously summered well. Some of his lead-up work had been good and he was travelling very easily for Cassidy in the run, just sitting off the pace and looking ready to pounce. When Express Duke moved smoothly through to take it up soon after straightening it was all over but the excellent finish effort of Professionalkiller added real meaning to the event.
