Rise High’s Road to December
Vincent Ho was pleased with Rise High’s winning effort in the Group 2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) yesterday afternoon (Sunday, 20 October), especially with a view to December when Rise High will line up in either the Group 1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) or Group 1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m).
“I knew he was still only about 80 per cent today but he’s gone and beaten them well. He’s going to be a good horse for sure, he’ll only be fitter for this run,” he said.
The winner will head next to the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m) on 17 November, the same day Beauty Generation will go for the Group 2 Jockey Club Mile (1600m).
“He’ll race in November next and in December he’ll be entered for the Hong Kong Cup over 2000 metres and the Vase over 2400 metres. Entries are free so we’ll have a look and make the decision which way we go after his next run,” Caspar Fownes said of the Myboycharlie five-year-old.
“He keeps improving. Every season he’s got stronger, he’s shown us that and his rating will climb up to maybe 128 or 129 and I’m looking forward to when he gets over the right trip, over 2000 metres, so it’s exciting times ahead. Let’s see what happens next start, we’re up against Exultant who has been a superstar stayer here.”
The afternoon’s other feature, the Group 2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m), went to the Danny Shum-trained Seasons Bloom under Grant van Niekerk.
Ho wrapped the card with a hat-trick, following up his feature win with an exciting score in the next on the emerging talent Golden Sixty, immediately before taking the finale on Preciousship.
Golden Sixty took the Class 2 IWC Excellent Handicap (1400m) in impressive style for trainer Francis Lui.
“He did very well, drawn one – the goal was to relax him and just try to look for a run but the run just came about and I was very lucky, once I got clear I knew he was going to win,” Ho said.
Preciousship landed the Class 3 Girard-Perregaux Excellent Handicap (1400m) to give trainer Ricky Yiu a double. The handler also took race six with the Grant van Niekerk-ridden Emerald Spur.