Glory Of India to show his staying prowess
Astute Australian John Size enjoys a seven-win lead and can consolidate his position atop the trainers' premiership with a victory by the ultra-consistent Glory Of India in the opening leg of Sunday's Triple Trio at Sha Tin, with the jackpot estimated to reach a mouth-watering HK$26 million.
The five-year-old got his season off to an inauspicious start on September 20 when getting badly checked between runners 200m from the finish under Douglas Whyte, but he hasn't looked back in seven outings since. He returned to action 11 days later under Jeff Lloyd and came with a bold move from midfield to win by 13/4 lengths over Lu Yue and rival First Beat over 1,600m.
It was followed by two more rallying efforts for minor stake money under Whyte, before Lloyd was again able to get the best out of the gelding for a well-timed short-head win over Horace's Legend on February 21.
Glory Of India hasn't been able to greet the judge in his past three outings over the 1,800m, but has recorded a three-quarter length fifth behind Implied Volatility, a neck second behind Ming Hoi Treasure, and a third behind promising Mighty High. He has proven staying ability with a 2,200m win at Goodwood in Britain and looks on song to stop Whyte's winless streak on the son of Dikdat at six.
Industrial Hero will be looking for this staying 2,000m journey after a respectable debut seventh over the 1,400m, while Great Bauhinia, Antipasto, Gallant Master and Monte Cristo are worth consideration.
It's hard not to banker the Almond Lee-trained Precision Magic in the middle pin. He has finished in the placings in his past five starts, including a win and two seconds over this course and distance (1,650m), and is drawn to enjoy the run of the race from gate two with Brett Prebble on board.
Amazing Choice has an awkward gate, but has been knocking on the door in this grade over 1,800m on this surface. He gave the likes of Needles And Thread and Mighty Sun a run for their money earlier in the term over this trip in Class Three.
Win-A-Lot, Wise Lover, Namjong Hunter and Smart Choice can fill a placing.
It's a hard race to end the TT, but it's woth taking the chance on Caspar Fownes' Achilles Of Troy as a banker. He has run some big races this season - most impressively a closing neck second in mid-March behind classy Sapelli in a higher grade over 1,400m, with the equally smart Vaugirard a distant third.
He makes a move to visors with in-form Vincent Ho Chak-yiu taking off 10 pounds. He trialled strongly on Tuesday as well.
Soldier does not have the luck of the draw, but has hit the line well for three seconds over the 1,400m in this grade, while China Win, Super Gentleman, King Of Scots, Matsukaze, Shanghai Pioneer and High Aim can fill the final spot.
