In a tricky and intriguing Chinese Recreation Club Challenge Cup at Sha Tin today it will pay to side with trainer Lawrie Fownes and the above average Brilliant Way. Fownes' gallopers have been running tip-top races in the past two weeks, many of them benefitting considerably for a run and with Wendyll Woods back on duty. It has all come together well for the stable and there is no reason why it will not continue for some time. Brilliant Way is at his mark but he can give a good sight in this 14-runner Classes One and Two event and is well suited by the trip. Fownes has always had an opinion of Brilliant Way and persuaded one of his owners to put in a strong bid when the horse went up for tender last season. Fownes' faith in the horse and the owner's loyalty to the trainer were quickly repaid with an excellent win. That success came over today's trip and off a rating one point lower than today. Interestingly, he had High Sky behind him on that day and the Irish import, to be ridden by Steven King, looks one of the main dangers here. Brilliant Way ran another couple of minor placings last season and was probably feeling it in his final run. He was dropped in the off-season demotions and is again racing off a mark that he has earned but which still leaves him with a solid each-way chance. Brilliant Way made his seasonal debut in an unsuitable 1,000-metre dash at Happy Valley but underlined his general well-being by rattling home well to finish just over four lengths from Kevmate in a hotly contested event. He has continued to work in good style and has drawn particularly well in barrier two, as racing takes place on the narrow C course. Woods, who started his season late because of a neck operation, has been making up for lost time and is riding in confident fashion. He is likely to be quickly away here to be in a position where he can make a finishing run without having to be carted wide to the outside - the fate of many on this particular course. Given the quality of the field and its open nature, there should be good each-way odds about Brilliant Way and he appeals on that score. High Sky took some time to settle after his arrival from Ireland and there was a suggestion that he might not see his races right through. But he was a good course and distance winner at his last outing of last season and it may all have been a question of acclimatisation. It does not affect all horses and tends to mystify owners and trainers. And if that was the case with High Sky, then he looms as a definite threat. Perfect Victory's chances are not helped by his wide gate but he does have early speed and Douglas Whyte could get him over and handy. This distance would be as far as he wants to go but he is a chance. Happy Forever obliged last time and cannot be ruled out of this type of race while there will be admirers for Delightful Special, now that he is back to Sha Tin, and fellow last-start winner Universal Winner. With leading rider Robbie Fradd aboard, this one could win without surprising. He came from well back last time over the longer sprint and is crying out for a return to this trip. Unfortunately, Universal Winner has drawn badly (13) which makes it difficult to tip him to win. But he should be included in multiples. Smartlord has not had a lot of luck, being touched off at his past two starts by a short-head and a head. Trainer John Moore has gone for this higher grade and the useful import comes into it with a fair galloping weight. He is another to consider.
