Dragon Master
Hong Kong Jockey Club
Trainer Michael Chang sign-posted January's Hong Kong Classic Mile for Dragon Master last month after the Darci Brahma gelding scooted to a third 1000m straight track victory at start six. That first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series remains the objective but Saturday's Class 3 Pok Oi Cup affords the gelding another opportunity to enhance his five-furlong record.
"All is going well, the horse keeps improving. The owner wants to have one more race at 1000 metres and then next start he will step up in distance," Chang said.
"I'm a little bit worried about barrier 11. Every time he runs well it is from an inside barrier, a low draw. When he's been beaten it has been from an outside barrier. He seems a little bit hesitant when he gets between horses. He likes to see daylight.
"I'll tell the jockey to treat him like a good horse - relax him, sit behind the pace and make sure he has plenty of room before he asks the horse to go. It's most important for him to get a clear run.
"Next start maybe we will step up to 1200 metres or even go straight to the 1400," Chang continued. "I think if he keeps improving as he is he will prove to be a very decent horse. The target is the Classic Mile."
Zac Purton was in the plate for Dragon Master's recent victory but this time the Australian ace will be aboard the horse that finished second that day, the Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Master, 3lb better off at the weights this time for that three quarter-length defeat.
"After I won on Dragon Master, Michael told me he was stepping him up in distance so I assumed he wasn't running in this race and it wasn't until after I had committed to Beauty Master that the plan changed, so I was locked in," revealed Purton.
"He's a good ride. There's not much between them - Dragon Master's probably just got the edge a little bit but hopefully my bloke breaks well, goes along good and gets every chance."
Karis Teetan will ride Dragon Master in the 11-runner charge. -HKJC
"All is going well, the horse keeps improving. The owner wants to have one more race at 1000 metres and then next start he will step up in distance," Chang said.
"I'm a little bit worried about barrier 11. Every time he runs well it is from an inside barrier, a low draw. When he's been beaten it has been from an outside barrier. He seems a little bit hesitant when he gets between horses. He likes to see daylight.
"I'll tell the jockey to treat him like a good horse - relax him, sit behind the pace and make sure he has plenty of room before he asks the horse to go. It's most important for him to get a clear run.
"Next start maybe we will step up to 1200 metres or even go straight to the 1400," Chang continued. "I think if he keeps improving as he is he will prove to be a very decent horse. The target is the Classic Mile."
Zac Purton was in the plate for Dragon Master's recent victory but this time the Australian ace will be aboard the horse that finished second that day, the Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Master, 3lb better off at the weights this time for that three quarter-length defeat.
"After I won on Dragon Master, Michael told me he was stepping him up in distance so I assumed he wasn't running in this race and it wasn't until after I had committed to Beauty Master that the plan changed, so I was locked in," revealed Purton.
"He's a good ride. There's not much between them - Dragon Master's probably just got the edge a little bit but hopefully my bloke breaks well, goes along good and gets every chance."
Karis Teetan will ride Dragon Master in the 11-runner charge. -HKJC