Hugh Bowman has described Fast Network as one of Hong Kong’s most progressive horses as Dennis Yip’s emerging talent squares off against a highly-competitive field in the Class 2 Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Saturday (10 May).
Chasing his fifth victory of the season, Fast Network (135lb) meets three fellow last-start winners – Bottomuptogether (132lb), Invincible Shield (126lb) and Gustosisimo (121lb) – as well as a host of other genuine contenders, including Wunderbar (130lb), the only horse so far to lower champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising’s colours.
Fresh from a Happy Valley double on Wednesday (7 May), Bowman is confident Fast Network can make it three wins in a row after a four-length romp over this course and distance on 30 March, when he easily accounted for Bottomuptogether when carrying 130lb.
“He (Fast Network) is one of the most progressive horses in the jurisdiction. He’s a sensible horse, he’s got a good brain and he’s got a good engine. It’s one step at a time, but I think we’re yet to see the ceiling with him,” Bowman said.
“(Last start) he enjoyed the fast tempo, it really set it up for him to finish the way he did. He’s trialled well at Conghua since his last run and he’s aided this time by an ace barrier, number one.
“There’s some very worthy opponents in this race and we’ve got to give them a few pounds but he won with authority last time and I don’t think this race is any stronger. He goes up a little bit in weight but he’s earnt that and if he gets the same sort of circumstances, I don’t think the weight will stop him.”
Invincible Shield has been a revelation for reigning champion Hong Kong trainer Francis Lui since arriving at Sha Tin from Queensland in Australia, where he won four races in a row for Tony Gollan.
With a trio of consecutive wins for Tom Marquand, Ryan Moore and Craig Williams after finishing 11th on debut for Lui, the I Am Invincible gelding will attempt to make it four in a row in Hong Kong under Lyle Hewitson after drawing gate five.
“He impressed me from day one. I always thought he was a Class 1 horse and that there was scope for improvement later on as well. It’s getting harder now that he’s racked up the rating points and I’m probably getting on at the toughest stage,” Hewitson said.
“It’s a nice race but he’ll handle himself well and will perform – hopefully he can continue his winning ways but it’s getting more difficult. He does have a nice draw in five and it could work out for him again, but we’re going to have to be on our A-game to win a race like this.”
With six wins – including two over Ka Ying Rising as a three-year-old – from only 10 starts, Wunderbar resumes for John Size and will jump from barrier three for Brenton Avdulla.
“It’ll be good to be on him for the first time on race day and he’s drawn well. He’s probably found one of the hottest Class 2s of the season but I’m looking forward to riding him,” Avdulla said.
“He had those couple of runs where little things were against him and he probably didn’t perform to his best and John started again with him. He seems like he’s trialled OK, so you’ve got to respect the master taking him back to the races.
“He’s obviously probably going to improve on whatever he does but I’d expect him to run well if he’s anywhere near his best. He’ll give himself every chance from the draw.”
Andrea Atzeni believes Gorgeous Win (129lb) warrants respect as a winning contender after his fifth in the HK$5.35 million G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) behind Ka Ying Rising before running on from the tail of the field when sixth to Gustosisimo on 13 April.
“He’s got barrier two and he’s the sort of horse who goes back but the draw helps. It’s very hot race but he should be competitive,” the Italian said.
“I think you can make the course for most of the horses in this race, but he’s ran well in Group races, he’s in good order and back down to this level – fingers crossed, he gets a good run around – and I think he can run big.”
Chiu Chow Spirit (121lb), Tomodachi Kokoroe (120lb), Lady’s Choice (119lb), Dancing Code (117lb), Atullibigeal (115lb) and Whizz Kid (115lb) complete a quality line-up.
Saturday’s (10 May) 10-race card at Sha Tin starts with the Class 5 Castle Peak Handicap (1600m) at 1pm.
By Leo Schlink
