Nash Rawiller
With three wins in the bag jockey Nash Rawiller has made a solid start to the Hong Kong racing season and the Australian is optimistic that a good recent trial is indication that Presidentparamount (NZ) (Danerich) (124lb) is primed for a big effort in the Cha Kwo Ling Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley tonight.
The Danny Shum-trained six-year-old has notched four career wins, all at Sha Tin and all over 1400m, but the drop back to 1200m at the Valley is not concerning Rawiller.
"He's in very good form," he said. "He's coming off a nice trial, a close up second when I let him just bowl along on the dirt, and I thought his fitness would improve from that trial. In the little bit of work he's done since he feels like he's improved and he goes to the races fit and well.
"Off his trial, I don't think 1200 will be a problem - as long as that hasn't taken the edge off him, but his track work doesn't suggest it. He has the blinkers on and he's the sort of horse you can give a bit of a squeeze out of the barriers and a quicker tempo might suit him. I'm not concerned - I think he's ready for a strong 1200."
More of an issue for the New Zealand-bred could be gate eight. "Barrier draws at the Valley are gold and he's got a sticky one," Rawiller observed, "but all I can say is the horse has done all he can to impress us leading in to the race." - HKJC
The Danny Shum-trained six-year-old has notched four career wins, all at Sha Tin and all over 1400m, but the drop back to 1200m at the Valley is not concerning Rawiller.
"He's in very good form," he said. "He's coming off a nice trial, a close up second when I let him just bowl along on the dirt, and I thought his fitness would improve from that trial. In the little bit of work he's done since he feels like he's improved and he goes to the races fit and well.
"Off his trial, I don't think 1200 will be a problem - as long as that hasn't taken the edge off him, but his track work doesn't suggest it. He has the blinkers on and he's the sort of horse you can give a bit of a squeeze out of the barriers and a quicker tempo might suit him. I'm not concerned - I think he's ready for a strong 1200."
More of an issue for the New Zealand-bred could be gate eight. "Barrier draws at the Valley are gold and he's got a sticky one," Rawiller observed, "but all I can say is the horse has done all he can to impress us leading in to the race." - HKJC