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SCMP Reporter

There could hardly be a more deserving winner at Sha Tin today than Northern Drake, who will be contesting the International Cup (1,800 metres).

  For at his past two outings Northern Drake has had the misfortune to finish second in two of Australia's most prestigious weight-for-age events.

  After finishing second to Australia's champion racehorse Might And Power in the the Group One Cox Plate (2,040 metres) at Moonee Valley, he was beaten by Champagne in the Group One Mackinnon Stakes (2,000 metres) at Flemington.

  Although defeated, Northern Drake covered himself in glory in both races.

  He was the only horse to issue a serious challenge to Might and Power over the last 400 metres of the Cox Plate and he was simply unable to cope with Champagne's finishing burst in the Mackinnon.

 Trainer Kenny Man has freshened-up Northern Drake since then and he will be ideally suited by the distance of the International Cup.

 A four-year-old by Varick, he has registered five wins, four seconds and a third from his 16 racecourse appearances for prize winnings of A$744,980.

 Importantly, Northern Drake has demonstrated his adaptability and his versatility. He has won from 1,300 metres to 2,000 metres as well as on good, slow and heavy tracks, so he should be a reliable conveyance for a few dollars today.

  Australia's other entry, Corporate James, could also be worth considering for inclusion in multiple bets.

  A seven-year-old by Corporate Raider, his 40 starts have yielded 17 wins and seven seconds for earnings of A$418,593.

 The winner of the Group Three Tramway Handicap (1,400 metres) at Randwick - defeating Northern Drake - earlier in this preparation, Corporate James generally comes with a powerful finishing burst and he could easily sneak into the placings.

Hong Kong punters will be seeing two of Australia's outstanding racehorses when Bezeal Bay and Toledo step out in the International Bowl (1,400 metres) today.

 Bezeal Bay has raced only 18 times - for nine wins and three thirds for earnings of A$514,668 - while Toledo has won six of 23 for prize winnings of more than A$1.2 million.

 'There is no doubt Bezeal Bay and Toledo would be among the top half-dozen or so horses racing in Australia at present,' said Victoria Racing Club handicapper Gordon Rees.

 'Besides, they would be, without much argument, the very best two horses racing at around 1,400 to 1,600 metres. In fact, from what I can see they would appear to have a mortgage on the International Bowl.'   Rees revealed some 'inside mail', however, when he said Toledo would be carrying slightly more weight than Bezeal Bay, if the race was a handicap run in Australia.

  'Although his strike rate is not as high as Bezeal Bay, I would say Toledo would be carrying more if the International Bowl was a handicap, rather than a set-weight event,' Rees said.

 'At the same time, there would not be much between them.'  As Group One winners, both Bezeal Bay and Toledo will carry 131 pounds in the Bowl.

 Bezeal Bay registered his Group One victory in the A$350,000 Emirates Stakes (1,600 metres) at Flemington at his last outing on November 7.

 Toledo's Group One success was in the A$1 million Stradbroke Handicap (1,400 metres) at Eagle Farm in June.

 He has won the Group Three Schillaci Stakes (1,100 metres) at Caulfield and the Group Two Emirates Classic (1,200 metres) at Flemington at his only two appearances since then.

  So everything points to either Bezeal Bay or Toledo adding to the Australian wins in the International Bowl by Monopolize, in 1995 and 1996, and Catalan Opening last year.

After a series of placings in recent years Australia - with Joss Sticks and Star Binder - is poised to break through for a Down Under victory in the International Vase (2,400 metres) at Sha Tin today. Royal Snack finished third for Australia in the International Vase in 1995.

  He followed up with a second in 1996, while last year Sunny Lane finished a courageous third.

 While Joss Sticks and Star Binder are not expected to be among the favourites for this year's renewal of the International Vase, both horses will surely provide formidable opposition to Lush and company.

 A six-year-old by Pride Of Kellina, Joss Sticks has raced only 27 times for 12 wins, a second and four thirds for prize winnings of A$505,701.

 Although he finished down the track behind Jezabeel in the Melbourne Cup (3,200 metres) at Flemington at his last appearance, his previous form had been first-class.

 In fact he has registered wins at six of his past 11 outings.

 It is also in favour of Joss Sticks that he will appreciate the yielding surface he will find at Sha Tin, for his five starts on a slow track have yielded four wins.

  He was also successful on the only occasion he raced on a dead track, so everything points to Joss Sticks being the value bet in the International Vase.

 At the same time, Star Binder is a classy performer, who cannot be under-rated.

  Prepared by John Meagher, who is well-known in Hong Kong, last year Star Binder won the Group Two Sandown Cup (2,400 metres) at Sandown and two starts back - on October 31 - he scored a courageous win in the Group Two Saab Quality (2,500 metres) at Flemington.

 'His work has been first-class since the Sandown Cup,' Meagher said of Star Binder.



Northern Drake due for change of luck