Cruz's in-form Very Fit set to bulldoze rivals
Tony Cruz's bid to break George Moore's long-standing record of 87 wins for a season should take a boost in the final event where Silent Witness's half-brother, Very Fit, will take all the beating over his pet distance of 1,600 metres.
The son of Woodman has won all four starts over the course and distance and has been winning his races like he is destined to rise to the top.
Like his famous half-brother, Very Fit has a high cruising speed and kicks strongly when asked for an effort. He leaves the impression he will handle even further than 1,600m but Cruz, who is standing on 81 wins, has opted to keep him competing over this distance for the time being - and given his recent form no one can blame him.
Without any shadow of a doubt it represents Very Fit's toughest test to date, with the two logical dangers shaping as Being Famous and Hail The Storm.
Almond Lee Yee-tat's Being Famous has been the stable star this season, notching six wins and two seconds from 10 starts. It has been a remarkable season for Being Famous, who is about as tenacious as they come.
He lost by the bob of the head when beaten a nose by Himalaya over the course and distance on his most recent outing - in front a stride before the post and a stride after but missed when it counted. Being Famous is burdened with top weight of 132 pounds but has the build to carry the weight and with the drop in grade, should prove hard to shake off.
Caspar Fownes-trained Hail The Storm was a particularly impressive on his last start on May 7 over 1,400m when defying a track bias to score a comfortable victory.
The blinkers were applied for the first time and he looked a different horse. He will need Douglas Whyte to be at his brilliant best from gate 13.
There was an element of surprise about the last-start victory of Dennis Yip Chor-hong's Golden Sun over the Sha Tin mile on May 1, but at the end of the day it was a decent performance.
He remains well treated in the handicap following a six point penalty and, with the chance of more improvement to come, he could figure in the finish.
In a very competitive final event, it is hard to ignore the chances of Sirocco and Joyful Spirit.
They have each scored four times over the course and distance, and with the seven pound claim of each respective apprentice, they come into this event competitively weighted.
David Oughton's Leilati drops back sharply in distance following a fair effort when fifth to Best Gift over 2,000m on April 24.
He has managed to hit the frame three times over 1,600m, including a win, and from gate two should have every chance to improve on those statistics.
John Size is double-handed in this contest with Mighty Hugo and Bumper Bumper. Both appear to have reached their mark. If the rain persists, both horses merit stronger consideration.
Based on his overall form it appears Equator Kid will find this Sha Tin mile a little sharp for his liking, while Amazing Victory would definitely prefer a shorter distance.
The all-weather trial of Celebration was not encouraging and he should find more than a few too good here, while the form of Gift simply isn't good enough. It is still early days for Sean Woods's Soprano, who has shown glimpses of potential from a handful of starts.
He has drawn the outside gate and this looks a much stronger contest.
