Buccaneer can handle weight rise to clean up on dirt again

Buccaneer looked a transformed horse when hitting the all-weather track for the first time, and despite a rise in weight should stamp his authority in the final leg of Friday afternoon's Triple Trio at Sha Tin.

With Sunday's TT failing to go off due to a tough opening leg, the main prize is expected to reach HK$5 million and with the advantage of an inside alley, Buccaneer looks a standout banker.

The Andreas Schutz-trained gelding had been racing honestly without winning, but a switch in surface on April 13 had the desired result for the chestnut, who travelled ominously well in the run before quickly putting the race beyond doubt in the straight.

He only rises six pounds for the victory, should land in a lovely spot on the back of the speed from gate three and finish too powerfully again under Zac Purton.

An appealing double banker is improving Achilles Of Troy, who also turned his form around when getting on to the artificial surface for the first time.

The Caspar Fownes-trained gelding took time to find his feet after arriving from Ireland but was dominant in winning two starts back when easily accounting for the talented Pretty Touch.

He switched to Happy Valley at his next outing to finish a creditable sixth to Value Choice after being taken back from a wide alley but will find this a suitable assignment, especially after coming up with gate two for Olivier Doleuze.