Majestic Heart can live up to TT billing
The Triple Trio's main prize is estimated to reach HK$19 million on Sunday and it's not going to be an easy one to crack, but trainer Caspar Fownes' consistent Majestic Heart looks a logical banker in the middle leg.
The five-year-old is peaking for this outing with three runs under his belt. He hit the line strongly first-up for third behind Classic Reunion over 1,600m, and produced a one-paced fourth 14 days later behind Endless Luck over 1,800m. At his latest start, he struck a slow pace and a blocked run before closing off nicely for sixth when clear over 1,800m at Happy Valley.
This son of Pentire, a Champion Stakes (2,000m) and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (2,400m) winner, should be suited by the step up to 2,000m. And with in-form Brett Prebble returning to the saddle, he is solid banker material from gate one.
Trainer Sean Woods' Horace's Legend is another crying out for this journey following a fast-finishing second behind The Only Kid over 1,800m and he acts as a dual banker play.
Of the others, The Only Kid, Monte Cristo, Sleep Well, Antipasto, Dashing Thunder and Lasker are worth considering.
St Didar is tackling a seven-point hike in the ratings and a step up in trip, but made a good impression when winning over the straight 1,000m in his debut. He is going to come on for that run and has claims in the final leg.
Supreme Win had good support for his season debut, but this smart winner of his final griffin run last term over 1,400m left his chances in the gate when refusing to go with them early and was never a chance.
Trainer Manfred Man Ka-leung adds a side winker to spark him at the start and, if he breaks cleanly from gate one with Prebble, he can figure in the finish.
A Walk In The Park, Super Pepper, Be My Song, Moon Chaser, Good Partner and King Of Hearts are other chances.
The opening leg is tricky, though Optic King makes logical sense as a banker. He has been knocking on the door at his past three runs at Happy Valley, and is equally capable of a big effort at Sha Tin.
Top Speed ran on well when resuming from a break, and then struck interference in his other two runs. He will have no excuses from gate one and should be there at the finish.
Crush On You, Feel-So-Good, Happy Sunday, Daylight Express, Bayview Greyslew and Crush On You are also likely to be in the mix.
