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Buccaneer can handle weight rise to clean up on dirt again

John Bell

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.

Others capable of getting into the action are Yue Lu Treasure, Pos Trumps, Global Win and Many Gains.

In the opening leg, Faster Faster fits the banker bill after showing a win was imminent when hitting the line with gusto last start.

The David Ferraris-trained gelding turned in a solid effort behind Perfect Athlete on the all-weather track on March 4 but really hit the line impressively last time to be beaten by half a length. He is no stranger to carrying big weights, has attracted the attention of Douglas Whyte and strikes a pretty mediocre contest.

His main opposition will come from Bayview Greyslew, Top Speed, Optic King, Fast Winner and Newswire Too, despite a wide alley.

In the middle pin, Vanquish Delight looks the best banker option, given he should relish a rise to 2,000m for the first time and has really turned the corner since being gelded.

The three-year-old opened his account with an every-chance win two starts back before looking unlucky not to claim the major prize last time behind Zephyrus after being held up in the straight.

From gate six, Weichong Marwing should secure a terrific spot on the back of the pace influences and finish over the top of his rivals, with his most dangerous opponents being Super Baby, Zephyrus, Classic Energy, Visionario and Baturo.

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