Hong Kong's chances of International glory at Sha Tin next month suffered a blow yesterday when the brilliant stayer Housemaster was withdrawn from the Group One Hong Kong Vase.
The Ivan Allan-trained four-year-old, owned by Jockey Club steward Larry Yung Chi-kin and conqueror of stablemate Indigenous in last season's Champions and Chater Cup, has a niggling problem with his left front leg. The injury occurred when he was fractious in his stable and while the bruising has gone, there is still some swelling.
A bitterly disappointed Allan said last night: 'I've talked the matter over with Mr Yung and the decision was quite a straightforward one. He's simply too good a horse to risk by putting him into hard training at this stage.
'As there are plenty more good races to come later in the season, we feel it is better to wait and let him recover normally and fully.'
Allan yesterday informed the Hong Kong Jockey Club of the decision to withdraw Housemaster, who last month had run such a cracking race when a close fifth behind Billion Win under topweight in the Sha Tin Trophy.
But Allan will still have a strong hand come International Day. Last season's Japan Cup runner-up, Indigenous, will definitely represent him in the Vase while his record-breaking Japanese Group One winner, Fairy King Prawn, is all systems go for the Hong Kong Mile following his quality short-head second to King Of Danes, who was receiving 22 pounds, in Sunday's Sprint Trial Trophy.
