Ho-trained Monza stuns punters with last-to-first improvement

Popular local rider Stanley K. M. Chin was hoping for a bright start to the Year of the Tiger but his success on English import Monza (45-1) floored the vast majority of punters who packed Sha Tin yesterday.

Monza was having his first start since finishing last in the International Vase to Luso on December 14 when he was over 30 lengths adrift in the 2,400-metre Group Two event.

His only previous start in Hong Kong had resulted in a last placing in a 2,200-metre event when ridden by Chin, who gave way to Jason Weaver for the International Vase engagement.

Trainer Peter Ho, who has gathered together a sizeable stable in his first season, had clearly freshened the horse up in the intervening seven-week period but was bringing him back in distance to 1,400 metres.

It was all enough to make punters shun the four-year-old, but in the end it was Monza who readily prevailed as much more fancied runners all bit the dust.

Monza, kept relatively handy to the pace which was virtually mandatory throughout yesterday's meeting, easily got the upper hand over debutant Helene Honour (4-1), who alarmingly faded out of it close home.