Whether it’s a Group One or a Class Four, John Moore is always front and centre in the trophy races and he looks the man to beat in the Yan Oi Tong Cup (1,600m) at Sha Tin on Saturday with Go Beauty Go.
The Yan Oi Tong Cup is a rare Class Four trophy and consistent Go Beauty Go (Zac Purton) has the draw and the form to be first choice in what is nevertheless a fairly open event.
What really stands out about him is gate one and his five starts over the Sha Tin mile for a win and three placings and this race sets up much the way his race did two runs back when he was successful.
It is a funny old speed map, with half the field wanting to race handy and half wanting to go back and not a lot of in-between and the pace looks just moderate.
Triumphant Light led at his last couple of starts for Kei Chiong Ka-kei, including a second to Go Beauty Go last start, but, with Silvestre de Sousa taking over the reins, perhaps the tactics will not be as cut and dried as for the apprentice but he still looks one of the leaders in any case.
The surprise pace horse could be Super Duke after he led his first start then looked a little outpaced at his second 1,400m run but he has blinkers going on here, which could sharpen him up.
Whatever takes place with the pace, Purton should be either in the box seat or three back on the rail with Go Beauty Go and working into the fray soon after they straighten up.
Pakistan Star transforms from slow starter to bouncing out of the blocks in trial
He doesn’t do anything especially fast and he probably isn’t going to ascend beyond Class Three in his career but that’s probably true of his opposition too and he’s the one who will get the favours.
Works Of Art (Neil Callan) is another who should be well placed in running and the John Size-trained gelding looks the main danger. Although his form is at Happy Valley, he hasn’t been properly tried at Sha Tin, with his only run there when he was resuming for the new season.
Star jockey happy with Happy Happy Star as Joao Moreira eyes another big day at Sha Tin
Little Fantasy (Olivier Doleuze) and C P Power (Sam Clipperton) are also chances despite their awkward draws but it gets fairly crowded after the first two. Best Effort (Keith Yeung Ming-lun) and Hastily Feet (Douglas Whyte) are also contenders.
King’s Man (Joao Moreira) is going well and would have rated a clear third choice from a better draw but he gets demoted to being one of this group because he might be giving a big start with the tempo against him.
