Denfield has returned in style this season and jockey Karis Teetan hopes the graduate of the Hong Kong International Sale can maintain an upward trajectory when he lines up in Wednesday night’s (1 November) Class 3 Hing Yip Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley.
The chestnut was victorious under jockey Zac Purton last start, however, this time pairs with the Mauritian ace for his debut in the grade following a pair of smart Class 4 wins.
“He won nicely last start. Of course, he led the race, it was different to see him in front. I think he’s a progressive horse, this time he’ll have a light weight on his back, so I think he’s going to run well,” Teetan said.
Purchased for HK$7.8 million to race in Yue Yun Hing’s familiar navy and white silks, Denfield – trained by Danny Shum – has won twice from nine starts in Hong Kong.
“I think so (to improving). He’s done it with a heavy weight on his back and he looks like he goes around the Valley like it’s nothing for him, so with a lighter weight I think he should get his chance,” Teetan said.
Denfield (124lb) faces the likes of Amazing Run (125lb), Sugar Sugar (129lb), Lucky Archangel (126lb), Fun N Glory (121lb) and Red Elegance (121lb). The chestnut will step away from barrier eight after leading throughout to score as 1.6 favourite last start.
Purton rides Gallant Waking (133lb) in the race for trainer Francis Lui.
Teetan takes a full book of rides tomorrow including the last-start winning Heroic Master, who contests the Class 3 Cheong Wan Handicap (1000m) for trainer Frankie Lor.
“I thought he put in a good effort last time for a nice win.
“He actually had a nice trip in the race, he had everything smooth and in the race when I put pressure on him he responded all of the way to the line. I think towards the end he probably still had a bit of petrol in the tank,” Teetan said.
The Not A Single Doubt gelding is a two-time winner over 1000m at the Valley.
“He’s doing well over the 1000 (metres), so let’s keep him there and hopefully he can do well again on Wednesday,” Teetan said.
Teetan won the 2016 G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (1800m) aboard Horse Of Fortune and will chase a second win in the HK$4.2 million race this Sunday (5 November) atop La City Blanche for trainer Tony Cruz.
“He ran really well (last start). I think with the light weight, it’s a very open race, too,” Teetan said.
The Argentina-bred five-year-old is the race’s lowest rated horse on a mark of 84, which also features Super Sunny Sing, Straight Arron, Senor Toba, Money Catcher and more.
Wednesday’s (1 November) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley commences at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Bedford Handicap (1000m).
By Declan Schuster, HKJC
