General to call the shots again
By his own high standards, John Moore has had a relatively quiet start to the season but Survey General - one of only two winners for the trainer so far - can add to the tally by taking the eighth event at Sha Tin today.
Considering that this son of Pursuit Of Love has been plagued with problems since arriving in the SAR, it was a solid training performance by Moore to win with him at the first time of asking this season. He has always given the impression that he has the ability to compete at the highest level and, now that Moore has been able to keep him sound, he looks set to rise higher in the handicap.
There are a couple of positive factors today which will stand him in good stead. Firstly, he meets a similar field to the one he beat over a mile last time. Gonlargo, Helene Express, Momentum and Trillion Delight all finished behind Survey General on that occasion and they face a tough task to turn the tables today. In addition, Survey General is going to be suited by the step up to 1,800 metres, as his overseas form indicates.
The main danger is Gonlargo, who was only beaten a length by Survey General on his last start. He is four pounds better off and the step up in trip should not cause any concern. The main disadvantage is that he will have top weight of 133 pounds and his strong finish may not prove quite as effective under the heavy burden.
Tony Millard's former Derby hero Keen Winner took a barrier trial recently and, given the tremendous form of his yard, an improved run can be expected. The booking of champion jockey Douglas Whyte is worth noting and, with the blinkers removed today, Keen Winner must be kept safe in multiples.
South African import Caracoler was well beaten on his debut when 12th of 13 behind Cliffhanger. It is not advisable to read too much into that form, though, as he was always going to find 1,200 metres on the short side and the substantial step up in trip today should see an improved performance. He has also trimmed down nicely since that outing and is some 39 pounds lighter in bodyweight. His stablemates Helene Express and Momentum both had every chance last time and it is hard to make a case for either.
Tony Cruz is double-handed with Natural Winner and High Spirits, with preference for the former. Stable jockey Felix Coetzee appears to have opted the same way and, if Natural Winner is not pressured too much in the lead by Good Record, he will prove hard to run down.
Kindred Spirits has run creditably on both his starts this season, but a minor placing may be his best hope.
Later in the day Tony Culhane has a great chance to notch up his first winner of the season aboard the straight specialist Conjuring. The speedy son of Fairy King is unbeaten in three attempts down the straight 1,000 metres and he did show some improvement on his last start over the minimum trip at Happy Valley. On that occasion he was disappointed for a run at a vital stage inside the final quarter and with a little more luck would have made the frame. The key today, however, is the move back to his preferred course and distance and he should take some beating.
The event is packed with pacy individuals. Merry Merry, Certainty and Bullish will no doubt set a strong tempo, and when looking for the main quinella chances it may be advisable to look for those runners who are normally running on at the finish. Comme D'Habitude was inexplicably beaten last time, but he indicated in a recent barrier trial that he is back in form and he does have some creditable form down the straight course. One Step Ahead was a shade unlucky last time when second to Bullish and he can reverse that form.
Of the rest, a god value chance could be Sparky, who is a winner down the straight. He will be suited by the fast tempo and should be rattling home at the finish.
