Daneprint looks a tough nut to crack yet again
Daneprint's turnaround in form has been remarkable, and the rejuvenated seven-year-old looks perfectly placed to dish out another beating to his rivals in the opening leg of tomorrow afternoon's Triple Trio at Sha Tin.
Daneprint was well on the way to compulsory retirement earlier in the season, before ending a 10-month losing streak with a narrow victory four starts back, and he followed up with two solid placings in races set up for on-speed horses.
The Dennis Yip Chor-hong-trained gelding then turned in the performance of his career at Sha Tin on May 4 when giving his rivals a galloping lesson in winning by 23/4 lengths over Mega Bullet, despite Brett Prebble easing the gelding down in the final stages.
While Daneprint was given a nine-point rating increase for the effortless victory, he will get two pounds off with Howard Cheng Yue-tin's allowance, and rain during the week has only enhanced his chances.
Although he has an unimpressive overall record of six wins from 62 starts, he has raced at Sha Tin over 1,800m only 13 times for four wins and two placings.
He strikes similar opposition to his last assignment and there appears no reason why he won't repeat the dose.
His biggest stumbling block could be capable Tremendous Plus, who makes his Class Five debut.
The Michael Chang Chun-wai-trained gelding showed nice ability early in his career, but has proven disappointing, and now boasts the record of only four placings from 17 starts.
The four-year-old created a good impression when finishing third to The Goodies at his 1,800m debut four starts back, but he hasn't looked like reproducing the effort subsequently and now faces his easiest assignment.
He should get an easy time of things from gate two under Vincent Sit Shun-keung and will only have to run up to his performance behind The Goodies to take a lot of beating.
Other worthy inclusions are Mega Bullet, Barracuda, Aristocracy and Show Bravely.
In the middle leg, Wadadelight is remarkably well placed on his best form and makes strong banker appeal.
The Gary Ng Ting-keung-trained gelding has eight all-weather track wins to his credit, and showed he was in good order by turning in his best turf performance for many years last start when finishing a close-up fifth to consistent Jamesina.
His last success came off a 10-point higher rating and this is clearly the easiest assignment he has struck in more than two years.
His biggest threat will come from capable dirt specialist King Hesperus, while others entitled to consideration are Magic Touch, Three Clubs, Wonderful Blessing and Golden Ball.
In the final leg, it's hard to go past Sevens Heaven when searching for a banker, given the five-year-old is only now living up to his potential.
He has been successful at three of his five starts this season, and the way he dispatched a similar field last start suggested his winning streak was far from over.
Although rising in weight, the Tony Millard-trained gelding will find this no tougher and remains in immaculate condition.
His main danger will come from Animation with blinkers being reapplied, while others capable of figuring in the act are old-stager Opera Magic, Medallion and improving Sunny Smiles.
