Hong Kong rain is Waller’s delight

Hong KongIT doesn’t often rain this time of the year in Hong Kong, but more than a month’s worth of rain was dumped at Sha Tin on Wednesday and that bodes well for the Chris Waller-trained Preferment.

The multiple Group 1 winner will line up in the Hong Kong Vase where it is currently a $5 chance at Sportsbet.com.au, and Waller is very happy with the track conditions ahead of the big race this Sunday.

“Very pleased with that,” Waller said referring to the rain.

“The ground was quite firm when he worked on Monday but with the rain on the track, he was happier today.”

Preferment wasn’t able to fire in the 2015 Melbourne Cup where it suffered plenty of interference in the straight, and Waller admits it’s not the most common approach to Hong Kong racing.

“It’s a bit of an unconventional approach, not your normal Australian preparation,” Waller said.

“He didn’t really have a hard race in the Melbourne Cup, spent a week in the paddock, a week at the farm doing light exercise and had a gallop at the races before he came here.”

It’s not easy for international runners to adapt to the Hong Kong lifestyle, but Waller believes his son of Zabeel has adapted well to the conditions.

“He has taken the trip very well,” Waller said. “In fact, I’d say he was thriving.

“He has settled into the routine and eating normally.

“He enjoyed the ease in the ground this morning and you could see it in his action. I think he’s going well enough to be competitive on Sunday.”

Preferment will have to overcome current $2.40 favourite Flintshire which recorded a second placing behind Golden Horn in the Arc De Triomphe earlier this year.

2015 Hong Kong Vase market:

1. Flintshire – $2.40
2. Cirrus Des Aigles – $21
3. Cannock Chase – $8.50
4. Preferment – $5 at Sportsbet.com.au
5. Helene Super Star – $34
6. Dominant – $13
7. Helene Happy Star – $15
8. Harbour Master – $61
9. Khaya – $61
10. Ensuring – $61
11. Highland Reel – $6
12. Ming Dynasty – $12
13. Dariyan – $12

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