Avdulla confident Bustling City can complete hat-trick at Sha Tin

Brenton Avdulla struck a confident tone when discussing the prospects of his mount, Bustling City, in Sunday’s Class 3 Lau Fau Shan Handicap (1200m, dirt) as the four-year-old seeks a hat-trick for trainer David Hayes.

A switch to the dirt has brought an uptick in the chestnut’s fortunes, winning his last two runs on Sha Tin’s all-weather by a combined 11 and a half lengths, and Avdulla expects Bustling City to build on his seven-length demolition of a smart field on his Class 3 debut last month.

“He won well, didn’t he? I’m not surprised that he won, but it’s probably surprising the way he’s done it. He’s a horse who, since he’s been switched over to the all-weather, he’s found a new gear and both wins have been solid,” Avdulla said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do on the weekend.”

Those two eye-catching victories build on a consistent three-year-old campaign on turf, when he secured two seconds and a third-place finish on the Sha Tin turf. And Avdulla said it was worth striking while the iron was hot given his sizzling form.

“It’s only a two-week turnaround. So, the perfect race is there for him to go back again, and you have got to take these chances as much as you can on the all-weather,” he added.

The Australian also predicted a hot pace if his front-running Starspangledbanner gelding is challenged for the lead. Seven-pound claimer Britney Wong rides Lucy In The Sky, another galloper who usually prefers to set the tone over 1200 metres.

“He doesn’t need any encouragement to go faster,” Avdulla said. “It’s all about trying to harness him. He’s not the easiest, but he seems to be going well.

“If Britney decides to try and take me on, I’m tipping we will be two seconds inside standard (time). My horse is a fast horse, we’ll be galloping. Pace is his best asset. He’s drawn low (No 2) inside (Lucy In The Sky), but if he steps cleanly, I’m tipping he’ll be leading; then hopefully he can keep running for me.”

Another smart four-year-old appearing on Sunday is David Eustace’s Titan Pegasus. A two-time winner in Australia pre-import, including a victory in the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) where he beat the eventual Blue Diamond winner Devil Night, the Deep Field gelding makes his seasonal bow in the Class 3 Shui Pin Wai Handicap (1400m).

Titan Pegasus, who will be ridden for the first time by Jerry Chau, flew into a late-charging third place in the final race of his three-year-old season last term on his debut over 1400m, and Eustace believes the 73-rated galloper will get the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) distance if he can improve sufficiently before the Classic Series campaign begins.

“I hope so, yeah,” said Eustace of Titan Pegasus’ chances of becoming a Four-Year-Old Classic Series contender. “Naturally, they’re trained for it, and they’ve then got to prove it. He’s got to win. He’s got to get his rating up, but that’s certainly the plan.

“I think he’ll get a mile, no problem. He ran well at 1400 (metres), finding the line. And, hopefully, he does handle 1600, which I think he will.” – Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Jolly Companion the expected fast tempo should suit his racing style, and he can make his presence felt despite the wide draw. So My Folks should map well from a low draw and deliver a strong on-pace showing. Flying Sniper will relish the drop in class and may have an edge over his Class 5 rivals. Wave Garden stormed home to cause a huge upset last start, and a repeat of that effort could see him complete a double. Conrad The Great suited by the switch back to the AWT, where he has placed twice from six starts.

Race 2: Sunny Q finished strongly for third in a slowly run race last start and is edging closer to a win. Autumn Vibes was narrowly beaten first-up and looks well placed to make amends with Purton staying aboard. Spicy Spangle made all easily over this distance at Happy Valley last start, and a Class 5 double looks well within reach. Solar River has placed twice from four attempts over this distance and commands respect. Diriya found the line well late last time out and could cause an upset from a favourable draw.

Race 3: Crossborderdude has shown consistent form in Class 4 and looks to have found a winnable race on his return. Call Me Sparkle trapped wide last start and, with better luck in running from a low draw, could make amends after dropping back to 1200m. Mighty Profit caught the eye flashing home late on debut and has since trialled well, making a promising return look imminent. Mabubu may lack consistency but could surprise at odds if allowed a soft lead. Little Monster produced an improved effort last start but will need some luck from the wide draw.

Race 4: Bustling City has shown a great liking for the AWT, where he has won his last two starts by a combined margin of 11.5 lengths. Lucy In The Sky has regained his form this season and is likely to engage favourite Bustling City in an early speed battle. Kempes comes off an impressive Class 4 win and should run well again despite stepping back up to Class 3. Together We Value has not been beaten far in recent starts and could place at value. Must Go a proven performer in this class, he is suited by the drop back to 1200m and should run well fresh.

Race 5: Mega Captain boasts a strong record on the AWT and has trialled impressively for his return; a cross-season double looks well within reach. Giant Leap finished a solid fourth after showing tactical speed last start and remains well weighted with the apprentice claim. Armour War Eagle appears to be on a competitive mark but the wide draw could make things tricky. Juicy Dragon will relish the return to the AWT and is expected to improve despite the wide gate. Good Chap with Britney Wong’s 7lb claim, he is worth considering as a value pick given his strong record at this track.

Race 6: Gallant Design has been knocking on the door and, with the booking of Purton, looks poised to break through first-up despite the wide draw. Noble Superior showed marked improvement with positive tactics last start and looks one to follow. Enjoy Golf had vet excuses last start (blood in the trachea) and gets another look given his solid previous form. Happy Brethren caught wide last time out and could show improvement with a smoother run. Dragon Sky Force stormed home for fourth over 1000m on debut, and the rise in distance may work in his favour.

Race 7: Cava Pioneer let down well from a wide draw on debut and, with Purton aboard, shapes as a strong contender second-up. Absolute Awakened caused an upset last start but reproducing the effort remains a concern. Storm Mirror flopped last start but looks capable of improving into the money from a better draw. One More resumes off an eye-catching trial and should deliver a bold on-pace showing. M M Concord suited by the switch back to turf and could be hard to run down if able to cross early from the wide draw.

Race 8: Gorgeous Victory finished strongly off a slow tempo last start and looks primed to break through from a favourable draw. Best World has recorded fast final sectionals in all three starts and is worth keeping an eye on first-up. Jolly Brilliant scored a tenacious win in this class last time out but carrying top weight poses a challenge. Flying Boom with a more conservative racing style, he can make his presence felt if the pace suits. Automated travelled wide throughout first-up and, with a smoother trip, could show sharp improvement with added fitness.

Race 9: Happy Index should map well from a low draw and figure in the finish first-up after trialling impressively. Embrace Aberdeen has shown tactical versatility and must be considered a strong contender. Swift Ascend boasts a strong first-up record and is expected to sprint well fresh with Purton aboard. Galactic Voyage can produce a strong burst with a genuine tempo despite the awkward gate. Cool Boy the rain-affected track may have impaired his chances last start, and he deserves another chance on his return.

Race 10: Titan Pegasus signed off his last preparation with a slashing third and looks one to follow this season as he gains more experience. Fit For Beauty looks well placed to build on his solid first-up effort with the step up in distance. Chiu Chow Spirit stormed home for third last start and should run well again if his breathing issue doesn’t recur. Beauty Crescent his last run was better than it reads, and he could sneak into the placings at odds under more favourable conditions. Celestial Hero posted the fastest final sectional last start, and the extra distance should suit him.

Race 11: Turquoise Velocity an in-form frontrunner, he should get every chance to go one better following an encouraging first-up effort. Rising Force may have needed his last run and is expected to show improvement second-up. Jumbo Treasure overcame a wide draw to complete a Class 3 double last time out and has drawn well to land a third straight win despite rising to Class 2. Ka Ying Attack won his Class 2 debut in fine style last start and remains a strong contender despite the wide draw. Storm Rider was far from disgraced first-up and, with Nichola Yuen’s 7lb claim, should be right in the mix. – iRACE Magazine