D B Pin scotched any doubts about his ability to last 1200 metres and proved the all-weather track to be no barrier to his continuing progress, with an easy victory in the Class 2 Chun Shek Handicap at Sha Tin on Wednesday, 5 April.
John Size's charge made an impressive dirt race debut. After stalking the lead-sharing Pablosky from a handy rail berth, D B Pin shifted three deep on the turn for home and quickened down the home stretch to clock a swift 1m 07.59s, with a closing 400m split of 22.22s. Despite jockey Zac Purton nursing the four-year-old home through the final half-furlong, that time was a season's fastest at the course and distance.
"It was painless," Purton said of the top-weight (133lb). "Obviously, the draw (1) helped tonight – and just being a little bit more patient on him. He tracked up really nicely; the speed was good for him. We had all the breaks go for us but he was impressive – it was a good performance."
D B Pin, the 2.3 favourite, drew three and a quarter lengths clear of runner-up Blocker Dee (132lb), and it was a further half-length back to third-placed Pablosky (127lb) as the 11 rivals failed to cope with the 97-rated victor's acceleration.
The Darci Brahma gelding took his career record to five wins from eight starts, having racked up four wins – all at 1000m – from five previous outings this term. The New Zealand-bred had already risen 41 ratings points this season prior to tonight's success.
The win gave Size a double on the night, the handler having earlier landed the Class 5 Wo Che Handicap (1650m) with the Kei Chiong-ridden Five Stars Agent.
That win for the apprentice in race four was one of two victories on the night that would have gone to Champion Jockey Joao Moreira, had the Brazilian not been sidelined with a bout of flu. Olivier Doleuze was the other understudy to benefit, the Frenchman taking Moreira's place atop the Benno Yung-trained Star Of Yan Oi in the Class 3 Lek Yuen Handicap (1200m). -HKJC
John Size's charge made an impressive dirt race debut. After stalking the lead-sharing Pablosky from a handy rail berth, D B Pin shifted three deep on the turn for home and quickened down the home stretch to clock a swift 1m 07.59s, with a closing 400m split of 22.22s. Despite jockey Zac Purton nursing the four-year-old home through the final half-furlong, that time was a season's fastest at the course and distance.
"It was painless," Purton said of the top-weight (133lb). "Obviously, the draw (1) helped tonight – and just being a little bit more patient on him. He tracked up really nicely; the speed was good for him. We had all the breaks go for us but he was impressive – it was a good performance."
D B Pin, the 2.3 favourite, drew three and a quarter lengths clear of runner-up Blocker Dee (132lb), and it was a further half-length back to third-placed Pablosky (127lb) as the 11 rivals failed to cope with the 97-rated victor's acceleration.
The Darci Brahma gelding took his career record to five wins from eight starts, having racked up four wins – all at 1000m – from five previous outings this term. The New Zealand-bred had already risen 41 ratings points this season prior to tonight's success.
The win gave Size a double on the night, the handler having earlier landed the Class 5 Wo Che Handicap (1650m) with the Kei Chiong-ridden Five Stars Agent.
That win for the apprentice in race four was one of two victories on the night that would have gone to Champion Jockey Joao Moreira, had the Brazilian not been sidelined with a bout of flu. Olivier Doleuze was the other understudy to benefit, the Frenchman taking Moreira's place atop the Benno Yung-trained Star Of Yan Oi in the Class 3 Lek Yuen Handicap (1200m). -HKJC