Yiu hopes Gentle Breeze can rise to the Challenge
– The DBS x Manulife Million Challenge comes to a close today at Happy Valley with the three top contenders all in action and shooting for the HK$650,000 first prize.
The annual DBS x Manulife Million Challenge is a pointsbased contest for horses competing in races rated Class 3 and above at Happy Valley, with 15 points for a win, six points for second, four for finishing third and three for fourth.
Shining Ace heads to the finale in pole position with 53.5 points; Gentle Breeze in second has 45 points, while Flying Quest sits third on 43 points.
Today’s winner’s cheque has been a long-time aim for Ricky Yiu with his galloper, Gentle Breeze but the five-year-old faces a stiff test as he aims to prove his worth over 1200m in the Class 1 Blue Pool Handicap and overtake Shining Ace – only a win will do.
“He’s trying hard to win the Million Challenge and get the trophy because we’ve targeted this for a long time, especially as tomorrow night is his last chance,” Yiu said.
This Foxwedge gelding has climbed an impressive 27 points in the handicap this season, winning three of his six starts under Matthew Chadwick who takes the reins again. But they all came over 1000m.
Gentle Breeze’s 1200m form reads for one placing from six attempts but Yiu quashed any apprehensions about his galloper’s ability to handle the added 200m. “There are no concerns about the 1200m especially the way he finishes off his races over 1000m, so hopefully he can do something for us – as he has been very loyal to me,” Yiu said.
“He still hasn’t done anything over 1200m but he has a good draw (No 1) and he’s holding his form so I expect he’ll run well. He did a bit too much work early last time and the draw wasn’t very good. “Gentle Breeze has done well, he’s won three this season and five overall since arriving to Hong Kong as a PPG (Privately Purchased Griffins), especially at the Valley.”
Chadwick agreed
Gentle
Breeze should be able to handle the rise to 1200m, especially now with the inside draw on his side. “The wide gate last start compounded the problems; we felt the 1200m he could get because he’s shown that he’s versatile – he can sit handy and he can also sit off them and show his turn of foot,” Chadwick said.
“He had to work overly hard early as there was just too much pace inside of him and he just had to use a bit more energy to cross them from the wide gate.”
The gelding faces a hot field including stablemate Speedy King, as well as Fat Turtle, last year’s DBS x Manulife Million Challenge champion Country Star, Amazing Star, Gunnison and Waldorf.
John Size-trained Million Challenge leader Shining Ace tackles the night’s finale, the Class 3 King Kwong Handicap over 1200m, with Chad Schofield in the plate for the first time.
“He’s obviously very consistent and very honest as his record shows – I trialled him last week on the dirt and he felt really good, he’s in great form and he’s made his way nicely up the ratings this season with his good record and hopefully it can continue,” Schofield said.
The Australian-bred gelding’s consistency has come to the fore in this campaign having finished in the top three in each of his eight runs.
“I’m a touch disappointed with the draw as he drew wide, but hopefully there’s a lot of speed, they split up and then we can slot in somewhere,” Schofield said.
“It’d be great if I can get them the points they need but either way, I’ll be my doing best whether he’s in the challenge or not.” – HKJC.com
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