Hong Kong's Group race ratchet will move up a notch at Sha Tin on Sunday, 23 October, with an intriguing G2 double-header comprised of the Oriental Watch 55th Anniversary Sha Tin Trophy (Handicap) and the Premier Bowl (Handicap).
The 1200m Premier Bowl will see the inimitable Aerovelocity (131lb) return to the fray. Hong Kong's former Champion Sprinter endured a largely luckless campaign last term, running off-colour in this contest, failing to make the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint as a result, and suffering colic in Japan that also forced his absence from the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m).
In amongst all of that drama the Pins gelding reminded everyone of his talents with a HKG1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) triumph in January before rounding out his campaign, post-Japan, down the field behind Chautauqua in May's G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m).
"He's pretty good," was trainer Paul O'Sullivan's immediate appraisal this morning (Tuesday, 18 October). "This time last year we were quite concerned about his trialling and in hindsight he did have a problem, although it was hard to put your finger on it."
Aerovelocity's two barrier trials this term have pleased connections. The most recent of those, seven days ago, saw the powerful bay make all for a comfortable 'win' in a 1200m all-weather track heat.
"He's come up very well this time," O'Sullivan said. "He's not quite as forward as he's been in other years but he is eight years old now. For that reason, I think he's going to need a run, but once he's had a run, or maybe two, he'll be at his peak. Everything's about the Hong Kong Sprint in December.
"At this stage, he's had a similar build-up to what he's had in previous years but being that little bit older, it takes a little bit longer to pick up, but I'm very happy with him. He'll go in there and give it his best shot on Sunday but we're just looking for a nice run to build on."
The three-time G1 winner, the only Hong Kong-trained horse to have won at the highest level in three countries/jurisdictions, is popular among race fans due not only to his ability but also his idiosyncratic, street-fighting character.
"He's been getting a little complacent this season," the trainer revealed. "Normally in his trials he tugs the whole way but now he gets two (lengths) in front and he just wants to pull up and then when they come to him he's off again. He's an extremely competitive horse.
"If you look at the November race two years ago, the Jockey Club Sprint, he got smashed, really slammed. Most horses, when that happens, they're gone but he went again and got smashed again. He's an absolutely fearless animal. He's not the best horse I've ever put a saddle on but he's undoubtedly the bravest."
The 12 top-class entries for the G2 test also include Hong Kong's current Champion Sprinter, Peniaphobia (133lb), Chairman's Sprint Prize runner-up Lucky Bubbles (131lb), recent G3 National Day Cup (1000m) victor Amazing Kids (130lb), last season's G1 Stewards' Cup hero Giant Treasure (129lb) and rising stars Thewizardofoz (116lb), Lucky Year (115lb) and Blizzard (111lb). -HKJC
The 1200m Premier Bowl will see the inimitable Aerovelocity (131lb) return to the fray. Hong Kong's former Champion Sprinter endured a largely luckless campaign last term, running off-colour in this contest, failing to make the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint as a result, and suffering colic in Japan that also forced his absence from the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m).
In amongst all of that drama the Pins gelding reminded everyone of his talents with a HKG1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) triumph in January before rounding out his campaign, post-Japan, down the field behind Chautauqua in May's G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m).
"He's pretty good," was trainer Paul O'Sullivan's immediate appraisal this morning (Tuesday, 18 October). "This time last year we were quite concerned about his trialling and in hindsight he did have a problem, although it was hard to put your finger on it."
Aerovelocity's two barrier trials this term have pleased connections. The most recent of those, seven days ago, saw the powerful bay make all for a comfortable 'win' in a 1200m all-weather track heat.
"He's come up very well this time," O'Sullivan said. "He's not quite as forward as he's been in other years but he is eight years old now. For that reason, I think he's going to need a run, but once he's had a run, or maybe two, he'll be at his peak. Everything's about the Hong Kong Sprint in December.
"At this stage, he's had a similar build-up to what he's had in previous years but being that little bit older, it takes a little bit longer to pick up, but I'm very happy with him. He'll go in there and give it his best shot on Sunday but we're just looking for a nice run to build on."
The three-time G1 winner, the only Hong Kong-trained horse to have won at the highest level in three countries/jurisdictions, is popular among race fans due not only to his ability but also his idiosyncratic, street-fighting character.
"He's been getting a little complacent this season," the trainer revealed. "Normally in his trials he tugs the whole way but now he gets two (lengths) in front and he just wants to pull up and then when they come to him he's off again. He's an extremely competitive horse.
"If you look at the November race two years ago, the Jockey Club Sprint, he got smashed, really slammed. Most horses, when that happens, they're gone but he went again and got smashed again. He's an absolutely fearless animal. He's not the best horse I've ever put a saddle on but he's undoubtedly the bravest."
The 12 top-class entries for the G2 test also include Hong Kong's current Champion Sprinter, Peniaphobia (133lb), Chairman's Sprint Prize runner-up Lucky Bubbles (131lb), recent G3 National Day Cup (1000m) victor Amazing Kids (130lb), last season's G1 Stewards' Cup hero Giant Treasure (129lb) and rising stars Thewizardofoz (116lb), Lucky Year (115lb) and Blizzard (111lb). -HKJC