Blinkers the trick for Richards’ Witty youngster

Jamie Richards' stable has been ticking along in recent weeks

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (26 March) for a 10-race turf fixture.

Trainer Jamie Richards can continue his good from with three-year-old SEASONS WIT in the Class 3 1000m Handicap at Sha Tin on Sunday.

SEASONS WIT is on his second Hong Kong start this week after arriving a one-time winner and four-time place-getter from five starts in Australia under the name Eros. Making his local debut over this distance at Happy Valley 25 days ago, SEASONS WIT turned in a promising run into second place. The Capitalist looked the winner at one stage in the straight, where he took the lead inside the 200m, but condition told over the final few strides and he was narrowly beaten by a neck.

SEASONS WIT has since trialled ideally in blinkers, which he wore to victory on his final start in Australia, so it looks key to his chances on Sunday. Zac Purton remains in the saddle and barrier 9 is a decent draw for the Sha Tin straight course.

Elsewhere, progressive four-year-old EXCELLENT FIGHTER can score two wins on end when he rises to Class 3 in the 1200m Handicap.

EXCELLENT FIGHTER debuted with a big win down the Sha Tin straight in mid-December, bungling the start but coming with a barnstorming run to win narrowly by a head.

Second-up, he began fairly again which dampened his chances, still closing off hard and fast into fourth and beaten one length. Third-up, the Ricky Yiu-trained gelding stepped up to 1200m but drew wide, but performed well in a fast run race to check home fourth.

A month between runs, EXCELLENT FIGHTER broke through for his second career win last start, leading all the way from barrier 10 to score easily by 2.5 lengths. With more to come, he can handle the rise in class and finds a winnable race.

iRace
Author: iRace