Rivals running scared as Go Baby Go stamps class

Go Baby Go arrived at Dennis Yip Chor-hung's stables 'scared of everything', but it will be opposition trainers fearing the progressive sprinter after another dominant victory yesterday at Sha Tin.

The four-year-old received a hefty 13-point ratings rise for his debut win up the straight, but absorbed that and then some when he dispatched a solid Class Three field over the same course and distance at his second outing. The 23/4-length victory was part of a double for both the trainer and jockey Douglas Whyte.

Yip has used some unorthodox methods to help soothe Go Baby Go's nerves, ordering mafoos to take the horse on afternoon walks throughout the Sha Tin complex, including around an empty parade ring.

'When he arrived he was scared of everything,' Yip said. 'He was sweating a lot and very nervous, but he needed confidence. In the afternoon I have asked the mafoos and work riders to slowly walk him around everywhere.'

The only concern for Go Baby Go was barrier one and having to cross to the outside rail, but as Yip put it: 'After 500m I knew we had it won.'

Whyte said the horse had given him a tremendous feel with his blistering natural speed. But what the jockey took away from the faultless effort was the horse's improved attitude to his surroundings on raceday.

'He's very aware and was just terrified of a few things,' Whyte said. 'Mentally he needed to take the next step and I think Dennis has done a great job by being patient with him. The horse was a lot quieter this time and he was a lot more mentally stable, he held it together. I wanted to asses him this time, not on ability, but on temperament and he obviously passed with flying colours.'