Classy Cornwall looks a safe bet
Triple Trio players will be hard pressed to find a better choice than Ivan Allan's last-start winner Cornwall Chiefs when looking for a secure banker in the final leg of the Triple Trio at tomorrow night's mixed meeting at Sha Tin.
The progressive galloper slashed 2.2 seconds off the 2,200 metres Class Four record when winning over that journey on April 11 in what can only be described as a superb performance. The drop back to 2,000 metres should not pose any major problems and he should take all the beating once again.
Caspar Fownes-trained Deep Purple was noted in a dirt trial last week when he hit the line full of running. The drop in grade is a major plus for him and he must be kept safe.
Few horses have been as consistent over the middle distances this season as Natural Echo, who has managed to pick up prizemoney on seven of eight starts. He will need more than his share of luck from the outside alley, but he is well capable of hitting the frame.
Shenanegan hit form with a win at the end of last month and has place claims on the strength of that run.
As ever, the booking of Douglas Whyte aboard Members Glory is worth noting and that runner also merits strong consideration.
The opening leg is over a mile on the all-weather track and Winning Smile, a specialist on the surface, makes most appeal for banker. Having never missed the frame in three dirt attempts, he should prove hard to beat.
Tusitala cruised to victory in a dirt trial on April 13 and looks a sound bet on that evidence. He has won on the dirt and can add to his tally here.
The drop back to a mile may not be ideal for China Cat, who was beaten three-quarters of a length by Golden Maple over 1,800 metres this month, but his form is good enough to suggest he can figure.
Wadadelight flashed home to finish fourth over this course and distance recently and can be given place claims.
Win Fortune is unbeaten over the trip and should handle this tougher opposition, while Fantastic Horse is another with creditable dirt form.
Split Seconds has been desperately unlucky on a couple of occasions in recent months and may be worth taking as the banker in the middle leg. He handles the dirt track well and though stepping in grade is competitively weighted.
Roman Boy showed some potential when finishing fourth to Amazing over 1,200 metres on the all weather. He will appreciate the step up in trip and must be considered.
Freebird has been a shade erratic on occasion but handles the surface and put in a decent effort in a dirt trial last week. Give him another chance.
Fat Chance can be included assuming the likes of Holy Quest and Good Win set a good tempo, though his chances will depend on how difficult it is to make up ground on the surface.
The third event is top-heavy with out-of-form horses but one exception is Double Dip, a highly impressive winner of his second local appearance at the end of last month. He looks a promising galloper who should take all the beating again.
Debutant Green Treasure has shown promise in his work and trials and should be included, while another to consider is Sean Woods' griffin Winning Cat, who has shown enough in his two career starts to suggest he can hit the frame.
Salut Beaute, a multiple winner over 1,200 metres at Sha Tin, has struck a weaker contest this time and can benefit.
