With an inside gate, Floral Picasso should prove too good again
Floral Picasso looked a transformed horse when landing his first Hong Kong success last week and he should continue on his winning way after coming up with an inside alley in the middle leg of tomorrow night's Triple Trio at Happy Valley.
With the TT failing to go off last week, there is HK$5 million on offer for players, and Floral Picasso looks a standout banker in a race light on legitimate winning chances.
The No Excuse Needed gelding, a half brother to class performer Fellowship, created a good impression when winning his only start in New Zealand, but failed to register a place in his first 11 local starts, before being switched to the Tony Cruz camp.
The four-year-old had his first start for his new trainer on May 17 and turned in a respectable effort to finish fifth to all-the-way winner Aashiq in a high-rating race, before switching to Happy Valley last week.
He bounced straight to the lead from an inside alley under Matthew Chadwick, was rated to perfection, and never looked like being gunned down in the closing stages.
After Chadwick's claim, Floral Picasso only rises two pounds for the success, should either lead or take the box-seat run after coming up with gate two, and he's not going to find this assignment a great deal tougher.
His main danger will belightly weighted Amityship, who has been a significant improver since rising in distance. He was responsible for the best effort of his career when running second to Go Dan Go on May 9, before turning in another solid performance behind rejuvenated Pacific Alliance.
With Derek Leung Ka-chun's claim, the three-year-old will carry only 107 pounds and should secure a lovely spot on the back of the speed.
Legend has to give weight away to Floral Picasso and Amityship, but looks the other main contender. He came up marginally short behind Animation two starts back, but was very strong on the line when returning to his best last time.
He gives the impression he should be able to handle the distance rise and remains nicely placed in the grade.
Others capable of sneaking into the minor money are Hussler, Something Special and Soaring River.
In the opening leg, Master Dreamer looks the safest banker option after coming up with the prized inside alley.
His effort two starts back behind Fortune Warrior after looping the field from the 500m was solid and he kept on well last time out to finish third to Gallant Master.
The Gary Ng Ting-keung-trained gelding is better suited with only two weeks between runs and is very well placed on his best form.
Dr Well looks like controlling the race from the front and he will be the one to run down, while others entitled to consideration are Sweet Baby, Ever King, Fortune Warrior and Octagonal Canyon.
In the final leg, Viva Fighter fits the banker bill after getting his career back on track in the last month.
The Caspar Fownes-trained gelding returned to his best with a dominant victory two starts ago and lost no marks with a narrow defeat by promising Fortune Haven last outing.
He should secure a nice run from gate five and looks to have found the ideal opportunity to continue a great run of success for the stable.
Lasker put the writing on the wall with an excellent effort after covering ground last start and looks the main danger, while Dragon Eye, Super Genki, Classic Reunion and Dash Ahead are worth keeping on side.
