Trophy punters can see Enthusiasm pay off
ENTHUSIASM was the star of the work track for the second time in less than a week yesterday when galloping impressively in preparation for his crack at tomorrow's $1.25 million Centurion Trophy at Sha Tin.
There is a relatively disappointing turnout for this domestic Group Three event which is programmed specifically for this season's private purchase imports.
Not that Enthusiasm's connections will care one jot. Trainer Gary Ng Ting-keung, who has his horses in such terrific form - he was on the mark again on Wednesday night with Best Of Luck - has trained Enthusiasm specifically for the Centurion.
He trialled Enthusiasm last Friday when the horse cruised home in the style of a rapid improver who has already previously sped home from Tom's Charge over a mile at Sha Tin.
Yesterday Enthusiasm worked well with stablemate E Treasure, clocking a smart one minute 15.4 seconds for his 1,200-metre dash.
It is unusual for Gary Ng to work one of his horses so hard, and Enthusiasm's tough programme is indicative of just how much Ng wants to win tomorrow's event.
For the same contest, Brian Kan Ping-chee's Happy Guy is unquestionably the form horse, having taken the Classic Trial earlier in the season.
Happy Guy was the other Centurion Trophy contender to impress yesterday morning, notching an encouraging final 400 metres of 23.1 seconds off some serious pacework under Felix Coetzee.
The Irish import is sure to give Enthusiasm plenty to think about but it is probably significant that Tony Cruz, who won the Classic Trial on Happy Guy, is now on Enthusiasm.
Cruz was also on board stablemate Electric Power in a fast and seemingly fluent piece of work yesterday morning but this horse is developing into something of a workhorse and may not be one to rely on.
Electric Power is in tomorrow's fourth event for which there has been good work this week from Lucky Swallow, from the barriers, and from Diablo. The latter has been very disappointing since his close third to Namjong and All Thrills over 1,400 metres atSha Tin but went much better on Tuesday morning.
The fifth race has seen Alex Wong Siu-tan's Global King work in excellent style over the last fortnight. He should be included in all wagers.
The best workers for the Kukri Trophy have been the favourites and form horses, Flirting Dancer, who went superbly and much better than his Class Two stablemate Tom's Charge on Tuesday, and Wonderful Moment.
For the last race, it is hard to get away from Winning Partners who went like a Class One performer from the barriers on Tuesday morning and confirmed that with a top piece over 800 metres yesterday.
