Progressive Multi-Star can land a hat-trick of victories by taking the Sports Club Golden Jubilee Challenge Cup at Sha Tin today and underline his claim as a rising star of the local scene. Not too many horses can run up a hat-trick of wins under Hong Kong's stringent handicap conditions, but Multi-Star should join that select band. This is a Class Three event so he has a fair way to go before he can be hailed as a top-notch galloper, but there is every indication on what has been seen so far that the Ricky P. F. Yiu-trained three-year-old is well up to scoring in this company. Yiu has stayed loyal to claimer Raymond S. M. Tam who has had some useful wins in what has been a busy season for the dedicated youngster.
Tam was aboard last time when Multi-Star came from midfield to run out a strong, one-length winner over today's 1,600-metre trip in Class Four. Multi-Star handily accounted for Jade Lake and Charity First and never looked in danger. His earlier win had come under Douglas Whyte. Since the win, Multi-Star has definitely progressed on the training track and has never looked in better shape.
Improvement is noticed every time he steps on to the training track and Yiu could scarcely have him better for today's contest. Although he has won without being extended, the son of top sire Grosvenor - whose progeny inevitably do better in their second year - gives the impression that he might be a horse who always does just enough to win without being flashy about it. Certainly, Tam looked as if he had plenty of petrol left in the tank when Multi-Star hit the line last time. Although there are 14 runners involved, it is almost possible to cut the field down to three main chances, Multi-Star obviously included. Super Horse II had no luck in running last time and that run is best forgotten.
It may pay to go on a previous effort this season under champion jockey Basil Marcus when he won most impressively. There will be an avalanche of support for the Patrick Biancone-trained Mount Kosciusko who could not have had a more impressive racing debut when winning comfortably last time. The official margin was two and three-quarter lengths and when jockey Eric Legrix shook him up the four-year-old responded like a good horse to win handsomely. It was a very good win, but there is no doubt that this is harder and, win or lose, Mount Kosciusko is going to find it harder. Topweight Always Match has been going well in the mornings and finished well to snatch third last time out behind Active Way and Sparko in a 1,400-metre event.
He gave the distinct impression that today's extra 200 metres would suit. The Lawrie Fownes-trained Royal Performance is going better and looks fit for this task.
It was a good effort in Active Way's race last time and he was not that far behind Always Match. Sir Galway's form is patchy, which makes him a risky bet, while Spartan has had his chances and Gagne Vite may now be firmly in the handcapper's grip. The best outsider in the field is Surely Wonderful who has been working so much better that he should be given some chance.