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Robin Parke

Side with quality and back Oriental Express to win the Centenary Cup - the second leg of the Sprint Championship - at Sha Tin today.

 The Ivan Allan-trained champion resumes after his magnificent fighting second to Val's Prince in the International Cup in December, which was over an infinitely preferable trip than today's 1,000-metre dash down the straight.

 But there is no substitute for class and quality and Oriental Express has both in abundance. The case for backing Oriental Express over 1,000 metres is also based on the horse's natural speed, which has been enough to see him lead them up over 1,600 metres earlier this season.

 He is also absolutely fresh after his December exertions and it is no secret that horses who prefer staying trips will sprint well fresh.

 He is also striking what must be termed a fairly modest field by top-class sprinting standards and it is also no secret that we could probably use an injection of fresh, vibrant sprinting blood.

 There is a well-tried, even tired look about the majority of this field - although there are honourable exceptions.

 Oriental Express, with in-form Felix Coetzee aboard, jumps from barrier 12 and will not be expected to head off this field. But he can, using his natural pace, get into a good position in midfield and will certainly not be inconvenienced by jumping from the outside. Rather the reverse, actually, as he can safely stay in his 'lane' if Coetzee so desires.

 There are many jockeys who will tell you that, for whatever reason, the 1,000 metres is not simply a test of speed. It can equate into a round-the-corners trip approaching 1,400 metres - and over a trip like that you would certainly be giving Oriental Express a close inspection.

 As long as Oriental Express is within striking distance of the leaders when they hit the course proper from the chute, then he has a chance of adding more lustre to his crown.

 Whatever happens, Oriental Express will not let the side down. If he doesn't win, he will have given it his all.

 Fastest Star seeks to emulate the now-retired Mr Vitality, the only horse to win the Sprint Championship by taking all three legs.

 The Alex Wong Siu-tan sprinter won the Happy Valley Trophy in November and has since turned in a superb performance under a back-breaking 143 pounds when third to Danswinner over 1,200 metres.

 This would seem to be a choice pick-up ride for Danny Nikolic, who takes over from Alan Munro. The dual Derby-winning jockey partners Supreme Goliath, the other Wong stable horse.

 Fastest Star is probably not ideally bred for 1,000 metres but he can make his presence felt in the finish and the drop back to 126 pounds will certainly be a major help.

 Supernova has won five and has also scored over this 1,000-metre dash in earlier days and was sharp enough to win over 1,150 metres on the dirt and over the longer sprint at his previous start.

 Given a horse in such devastating form, it is hard to declare he has no chance in this, but a modest tierce chance might be his best hope.

 Speed will come from Debonair, who is having his first start of the season but he should be run down close home, while stablemate Kowloon Pride also has claims but may suffer a similar fate.

 There will be plenty of interest focused on Special, who did not take his place in the Derby field as trainer David Hayes did not feel the 1,800 metres was the right trip.

 He has been freshened up and could give a sight in this important event but it is also a little on the short side - and he does not quite have the class of a horse like Oriental Express.

 Indigenous is just too much of a stayer to be a real hope. He does not possess the natural early pace of stablemate Oriental Express.

 Quick Action and Regal Ridge are showing their years but speedy Laser Star, with unheralded Raymond S. M. Tam up, could give plenty of cheek.



Oriental's class can tell