Underrated straight course specialist Lucky Red sneaked under the radar yesterday to snare his fourth victory over the Sha Tin 1,000m in the Li Cup at over 20-1. Usually ridden for the front, Lucky Red took a trail when Native Kid burst away with a decisive lead, but jockey Eddie Lai Wai-ming brought him strongly into the race at the 200m and never looked like losing. He may not be in the same class as his former stablemate Bulb King, a straight course specialist who was retired this season, but Lucky Red is proving an able replacement over the distance for trainer Ng. 'He's very consistent - even when he doesn't win these straight races, he never gets beaten very far,' Ng said. 'There was a bit of luck to the win because he drew the right barrier to be able to find the correct position, but the horse tries very hard.'
