Gold Chest steals it in a thriller
There were two Class 2 races at Sha Tin yesterday afternoon (Saturday, 8 February), the Class 2 Choi Hung Handicap (1200m), went to Gold Chest (111lb) who scored a thrilling success to halt Duke Wai’s (118lb) streak at four.
A stalking ride from Matthew Poon saw the wide-finishing winner pip Duke Wai by a nose. The latter, like the victor, ran on from deep but a near-perfect ride from Karis Teetan was not enough this time.
“He missed the kick a bit but he wasn’t too far away and I could see the favourite (Duke Wai) was very close to me, so I just tried to stay with him and I was very lucky – it worked out so well!” Poon said.
The win makes it two this season for the Richard Gibson-trained gelding, who arrived in Hong Kong having won a Listed race at Newmarket in Great Britain.
“He travelled very well during the race, I was happy to let him settle behind that horse Duke Wai, before getting clear over the last 200 (metres), and I had a light weight,” Poon said after nailing his 14th success this term and his first for Richard Gibson this season from 11 pairings.
Teetan was pleased with Duke Wai’s gallant effort in defeat despite failing to make it five wins in a row.
“It was so tight, I’m still very happy with my horse’s run, he ran a great race again,” Teetan said.
Meanwhile, Voyage Warrior (133lb), who lugged top-weight and raced prominently, showed that he should still be a force in higher grades in time as he finished sixth, only three-quarters of a length behind the front two.