The “Hong Kong warhorse”, Joy And Fun, made an eye-catching return from niggling injuries at a trial session that included a number of International Day-bound runners about to resume.
Trainer Derek Cruz will aim Joy And Fun – now 10 – at his sixth December feature, and Tuesday’s 800m blowout was an important stepping stone given the tough but injury-prone sprinter hadn’t raced in more than six months.
Karis Teetan could be in line to ride Joy And Fun after partnering the Group One winner in the fast-run trial. He let the old boy find his feet early, then asked for a solid last 400m as he chased the low-flying Dane Patrol (Jacky Tong Chi-kit) home. Teetan later admitted he was surprised at the immediate response he got from Joy And Fun when he asked for an effort.
Another surprise was the sharpness and early speed Dominant (Derek Leung Ka-chun) showed in the opening 1,000m heat. Dominant, one of three John Moore-trained stars in the heat, is being aimed squarely at the 2,400m Longines Hong Kong Vase, but was hard on the steel from the start and cruised in behind the speedy pacesetters Best Eleven ( Matthew Chadwick) and Rich Tapestry (Olivier Doleuze).
Sterling City (Douglas Whyte) and Military Attack (Zac Purton) will both resume in less than three weeks, Moore happy with the free-moving performance of the former and unconcerned at the latter’s quiet effort.
Purton was instructed to not get too close to heels of rivals on the reigning Horse of the Year, to avoid kick back or injury, and Military Attack loafed along relatively untested, finishing seven lengths behind the heat winner.
