Bundle Award could be HK Derby-bound
HONG KONG Bundle Award charged into the HK$26 million (S$4.45 million) BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) calculations, after a brilliant victory in the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Carpenter Handicap (1,800m) at Sha Tin on March 9, to fan hopes of a fourth classic triumph for champion trainer John Size.
Ridden perfectly by Ben Thompson, the 75-rating Shamus Award four-year-old charged from last at the 400m in a searing 22.11sec to beat Markwin (Harry Bentley) and Helene Feeling (Luke Ferraris) to enhance claims of clinching a place in the Hong Kong Derby on March 23.
"It felt as good as it would have looked," Thompson said of the gelding's blistering finish. "I was confident he would let rip when it was time to go.
"He was super. He's handled by a master in John. He's versatile and he's a lovely horse."
Size, who saddled Fay Fay (2012), Luger (2015) and Ping Hai Star (2018) to Hong Kong Derby victory, said: "He (Bundle Award) did very well. He seems to settle and relax and didn't seem to waste any energy.
"He had plenty of resources left for the finish."
Fifth behind Sky Heart over 1,600m after drawing barrier 1 at his previous start on Feb 16, Bundle Award ($31) - who won three times in Australia for Jason and Allan Williams as Prince Prawn - appreciated being dropped to the tail of the field.
Thompson then drove Bundle Award out to the middle of the track before the gelding unleashed a devastating sprint.
"You couldn't compare the two days (March 9 and Feb 16). I think that he drew well last start - he drew gate 1," said Size.
"Maybe that was of no help to him. Anyway, he showed us what he wanted today."
The Hong Kong Derby field selection will be announced on March 14, with the field likely to be headed by Hong Kong Classic Cup (1,800m) winner Rubylot and Hong Kong Classic Mile victor (1,600m) My Wish.
The 76-rating Markwin - a two-time winner in Hong Kong - also boosted claims of a possible Hong Kong Derby berth after finishing 1¼ lengths behind Bundle Award.
Bundle Award's success continued a see-sawing battle in the Hong Kong trainers' championship, shunting Size back into the lead after David Hayes had snatched it with first-starter Akashvani's ($23) win under Lyle Hewitson in the first section of the Class 4 Lung Kong Handicap (1,200m).
Size and Hayes both have 37 wins but 12-time champion trainer Size has more second placings.
"He (Akashvani) did a good job from a wide gate (barrier 12) and my sons (Ben, Will and JD) educated him very well from Lindsay Park (in Australia). He came in and I just had to get him here," said Hayes.
"He actually got a low head carriage action like Rubylot. He reminds me of a young Rubylot, so let's hope he ends up as good as Rubylot - not saying he will be, but his action is very similar."
Apprentice Britney Wong moved to the top of the Hong Kong jockeys' all-weather track standings with a double, striking aboard Natural High ($63) for David Hall in the Class 4 Nga Tsin Wai Handicap (1,200m on the dirt) and on Manfred Man's Self Improvement ($33) in the Class 3 Sa Po Handicap (1,200m on the dirt).
Wong has notched seven of her 12 victories on dirt to lead Ferraris (five) in her first season in Hong Kong.
"It's great. I had two doubles when I was in Australia but they were both non-TAB meetings, so this feels fantastic," said Wong, 25.
"Whether it's turf or dirt, I'll go for it and it's good that I have one (surface) that works in a particular way, so I'm very happy."
Man also posted a double when the Super Seth three-year-old Patch Of Cosmo ($124) won the Class 3 Tak Ku Ling Handicap (1,600m), downing Embraces and Hong Kong Derby hopeful Light Years Charm.
Ferraris slotted his 30th winner of the season and maintained his perfect record on Lucky With You ($44), when the consistent seven-year-old overpowered his rivals in the Class 1 Kowloon City Handicap (1,200m) for Frankie Lor.
"He's a lovely horse, obviously when he gets up to Group 1 level, it's a bit tough for him. But he's definitely a Class 1 horse," said Ferraris.
"He was in great shape today, Frankie had him going good and it was a very easy win.
"I sat back on him, pulled him out at the 400m and coasted up to them at the furlong, let him go and put them to bed."
David Eustace scored with Regency Happy Star ($13) under Alexis Badel in the Class 5 Junction Handicap (1,400m).
Chris So combined with Keith Yeung to win the second section of the Class 4 Lung Kong Handicap (1,200m) with the three-year-old Mount Everest ($95).
Yeung completed a double when The Auspicious clinched the Class 4 Lok Sin Tong Cup Handicap (1,400m) at big odds of $663 to give Me Tsui his ninth win of the season. HKJC
