Reliable Profit has evolved into a serious player on Sha Tin’s dirt course and the Reliable Man gelding is chasing a fourth consecutive win on the alternate surface in the first section of Wednesday night’s (18 December) HK$1.17 million Class 4 Ngan Shing Handicap (1650m).
Since finding his winning groove three starts ago on dirt, Hong Kong International Sale graduate Reliable Profit has worked his way up to Class 4, and a rating of 57, for trainer Danny Shum and jockey Hugh Bowman – who rides the six-year-old grey from barrier 10.
“He’s found his niche on the dirt and his last three wins have been great – he’s enjoying his racing. I’ve ridden him since his last win and he’s working well, so I’d expect a similar performance to what we’ve seen,” Bowman said.
The New Zealand-bred sold for HK$3.6 million at the 2022 Hong Kong International Sale to Mr & Mrs William Yem Wai Lai, who race the ‘Profit’ series of horses in Hong Kong, including nine-time winner Supreme Profit – also a Hong Kong International Sale graduate.
“This horse (Reliable Profit) actually appreciates the room and he does look after himself in the run, you just have to trust that if he is happy in the run that he will finish strongly, so I’m not to deterred by the draw – it suits his racing style.
“If they don’t go fast, he can be right up on the pace and if they do then I’ll give him a chance where he’s comfortable and trust that he’s going to finish strongly like he has in his last three races,” Bowman said.
Reliable Profit faces 12 rivals: Tale Of Perth (135lb), The Way We Win (135lb), Massive Action (133lb), Viva Chaleur (131lb), All Are Mine (128lb), Jumbo Fortune (128lb), Ace Power (124lb), Regent Glory (124lb), Sight Supreme (121lb), Yeah Buddy (121lb), Spangle Fortune (119lb) and Yoda’s Choice (116lb).
Both Viva Chaleur and Yoda’s Choice raced on Sunday (15 December) at Sha Tin. Bowman also seeks consecutive wins on the dirt aboard Talents Ambition in the HK$2.05 million Class 3 Yuen Chau Kok Handicap (1650m) for trainer Mark Newnham from stall 10.
“He gave me a very good feel. I haven’t been on his back since his last win but I did ride him a couple of times prior to that, just in work, and he’s a really lovely horse.
“I think we’re far from seeing where his benchmark is. Whether he can transfer that form to the turf is another story but at the moment he has the ideal programme to continue on the dirt,” Bowman said.
Tomorrow night’s eight-race all-dirt meeting also features the HK$1.17 million Class 4 Prince Of Wales Hospital 40th Anniversary Cup Handicap (1650m), where Vincent Ho will aim to drive Excel Wongchoy to a second win for championship-leading trainer Pierre Ng.
“He’s very consistent. You just need a race to pan out well for him. I think he can handle both (1800m and 1650m). Hopefully the pace will be on a bit more than over 1800, so he will be a bit more comfortable,” Ho said.
Four-time Group 1 winner Lucky Sweynesse – crowned Hong Kong Champion Sprinter (2022/23) for trainer Manfred Man – stepped out for his first barrier trial at Sha Tin on the grass over 1000m this morning (Tuesday, 17 December) as he aims to return from setbacks.
Jockey James McDonald rode the 132-rater and said: “He looks great and feels really good. He had a tendency to lay in last preparation when I last rode him, but he didn’t do anything up the straight there this morning, so he’s feeling really good in his action.”
Lucky Sweynesse was an untested last over the line behind a runaway Magic Control for trainer Cody Mo, who said: “He trialled nicely. It was good to see him relax, he’ll run in the Group 3 (Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap, 1000m) on 1 January.”
Wednesday’s (18 December) eight-race all-dirt fixture at Sha Tin commences at 7.15pm with the Class 5 Banyan Handicap (1200m).
By Declan Schuster
