In-form three-year-old gelding HELENE FEELING is on track to score a second local win in Monday’s Class 2 Handicap over 1600m at Sha Tin.
The Danny Shum-trained Irish-bred import has hit the ground running locally, yet to miss the frame in four starts since debuting in mid-March. On that occasion, he turned in a strong finish to check in 1.75 lengths behind and secure third place over 1200m at Happy Valley before winning smartly in his second race, rising to 1650m.
Since then, HELENE FEELING has had to play second fiddle, but he lost no admirers in his last start when trying this track and distance for the first time. He was drawn wide in barrier 11 and was only swamped late in the shadows of the post. HELENE FEELING will find this week’s race easier, and he looks like he’ll be hard to beat.
Meanwhile, trainer Michael Chang only needs one more victory in a race higher than Class 5 to avoid a third strike for failing to meet the Jockey Club’s criteria for trainer performance. If he doesn’t succeed on Saturday, then LADY’S CHOICE has a strong chance of fulfilling the quota in Monday’s Class 4 Handicap over 1200m at Sha Tin.
The three-year-old gelding claimed his first career victory at start number eight at this track and distance 23 days ago, dropping back to the 1200m after trying 1400m in six prior runs. It was also champion Zac Purton’s second time in the saddle after a close-up fifth-place finish in his first ride on the gelding two starts ago.
LADY’S CHOICE faces a similar race to his last start, drawn barrier 3 again, from where he should map with every chance in the run.
