Dream debut as Winner scorches Sha Tin straight
Lor’s newcomer overcomes gate one to notch fastest time at course and distance this season
Debutant Dream Winner recorded the fastest time over Sha Tin’s 1,000m straight course this season when he showed tremendous speed to salute in the Class Four Hong Kong Sports Association For The Physically Disabled 50th Anniversary Cup (1,000m).
Well backed and sent off at $3.6, Dream Winner made light work of his unfavourable draw in barrier one, taking control of the race at the halfway mark and running out a clear winner by 5¼ lengths under Vincent Ho Chak-yiu.
The son of Exosphere had shown signs of ability in his three Hong Kong trials and can expect a double-digit rating hike in the wake of his first-up success, with a tailwind contributing to his time of 55.14 seconds – the quickest over the journey since Alcari posted 55.11 on June 6, and 0.37 quicker than Ka Ying Spirit clocked later on yesterday’s programme.
Ho was impressed with Dream Winner, and he is already looking forward to his next opportunity to sit on him.
“He’s a nice horse – a big boy. He’s got a good future. He’s got a big stride, and he was able to maintain the same speed,” Ho said, revealing he was aware the race was well within his keeping before he allowed Dream Winner to cruise the last 50m.
“I could see those horses were way behind and he’d done a good job, so he could just do that [ease down].”
Despite losing more ground on John Size in the trainers’ championship following the 11-time title winner’s double, Frankie Lor Fu-chuen appears to have another decent galloper on his hands. However, even he was surprised with the manner of Dream Winner’s victory.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” Lor said. “If he’d drawn the outside, I would have thought he had a really good chance, but he drew gate one for his first start, so I thought it was going to be a little bit difficult, although racing on the C course may have made it easier.
“I asked Vincent to ride him as he did in his trial. I told him to put him where he was comfortable, and if he led, it wouldn’t matter. He’s won the race easily.
“We’ll see how many points they give him. I think it’ll be at least 12, and he’ll go up to Class Three.
“This owner also had Winning Dreamer, but Dream Winner won his debut race a lot easier than him.”
Ho went on to complete a double aboard Lucky Gold in the Class Four Table Tennis Handicap (1,400m).
This time round, Ho had to work far harder for the win, coming from midfield entering the home straight and urging his mount to hold off the late challenge of Flying Mojito, who came from towards the rear of the field and only failed by a short head.
Lucky Gold’s trainer, Francis Lui Kin-wai, has been going well of late, scoring his fifth win from the past five meetings to move to 45 victories for the campaign. Ho’s double lifted his tally to 76 wins.
We’ll see how many points they give him. I think it’ll be at least 12, and he’ll go up to Class Three
TRAINER FRANKIE LOR