DAWN Raid attracted some support in last night's second event for his first outing for first-season trainer Wylie Wong. He didn't manage to win but he did run home a very solid third behind back-to-form Upper Hand and John Moore's distinctly useful Class Five sprinter, Big Apple. The first three dominated the race and Dawn Raid's performance indicated that he retains more than enough ability to prevail against similar company. He was a winner over 1,235 metres on rain-affected going last season but basically he needs further than the sprint trip to show his best these days. It is worth recalling that he does have a Class Four victory to his name over a mile over Jupiter Pioneer. That kind of effort makes him a very backable proposition from his current handicap rating which enables him to compete down a grade in Class Five. But consider a couple of things about Dawn Raid before going in head down. While he does act at Sha Tin, it seems that the tight Valley bends where they race hard all the way, bring out the best in him. It allows his surging late runs to come into play. And he appears to need a mile these days to show his best. As he has aged, he has lost some of that youthful zest which allowed him to win over shorter trips.
