Sha Tin: International Mile Trial (Group 2) 1m, turf International Sprint Trial (Group 2) 6f, turf
SOUTH African jockey Felix Coetzee stole the show at Sha Tin on Sunday with a masterclass in the two trials for the CathayPacific-sponsored international races on December 14.
Having outfoxed his rivals with a gem of a front-running ride aboard Egyptian Ra in the Mile Trial, he had to summon every ounce of strength to force Enthused over the line a nose in front of Sunny Power inthe Sprint equivalent.
The rider is now facing a five-meeting spell on the sidelines for weighing in light last weekend. "The wins have come just in time because I need some money for my holiday!" he said.
Egyptian Ra's startling all-the-way victory produced a time only marginally outside the track record.
The Tony Cruz-trained seven-year-old came home three and three-quarter lengths clear of Sight Winner and horse of the year Good Ba Ba, who was fully ten lengths adrift in last behind a strong pace at halfway.
Turning for home, Egyptian Ra stole four lengths clear on the field and pretty soon the race was for the minor money.
"He's improving," said Cruz. "He's settling more and more each time and I believe he will be a serious contender for the Mile.
"It was a brilliant ride from Felix," added the trainer. "The time he has run was great and it puts us right there in the international class because he's doing everything right. We've done a lot of work with this horse getting him to settle."
>>The John Size-trained Enthused, who has never missed the board in 15 local starts, is firmly on course for his biggest payday yet after winning a thrilling Sprint Trial.
Lucky Quality blazed a trail as expected with Coetzee handily placed on Enthused. The race changed complexion as Sunny Power and Green Birdie darted from the pack with a furlong to race and the bob of heads went Enthused's way at the wire.
"I was exactly where I wanted to be early on," said Coetzee. "Inthe straight he got to the front a bit quicker than I wanted but he fought on very gamely. As we hit the line I thought I had missed the nod so I was delighted to see I had been wrong."
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