Land Grant
HKJC
Land Grant, a $300,000 graduate of Curraghmore Stud's 2013 NZB draft, will attempt to grab the finale at Happy Valley on Thursday (20 April) night, with jockey Sam Clipperton holding the opinion that the five-year-old has a strong claim going into the Class 3 So Kon Po Handicap (1650m).
Tony Millard's charge heads to the 12-runner heat off a smart third behind Little Dragon at the course and distance last month and warmed up for this with a handy second in a barrier trial on the Sha Tin all-weather a little more than a week ago.
"It's good form around Land Grant and I was quite impressed with his trial the other morning behind My Darling, so his work's been good and he's indicating to me that he's ready to win. And he's in the right race on Thursday night," Clipperton said at Sha Tin trackwork this morning, Wednesday, 19 April.
The High Chaparral gelding's one Hong Kong win from 12 starts to date was achieved at the course and distance in March last year. His first five efforts this term were some way below that level, so Clipperton was delighted to climb aboard for the first time last start and find the bay emerging from the doldrums.
"It was good to see him start to turn his form around, it's taken a few runs to probably hit peak fitness and he really put the writing on the wall last start, he went up to win and probably just peaked on his run 100 (metres) out but was only beaten a length or so," he said.
"Since then he's had a nice trial just to keep him ticking over. He's going to be well-prepared for Thursday night and we've got a good draw (five), so I would imagine him bouncing out and being in the first half somewhere, depending on the pace. If we can have a nice run he should be there in the finish again. I think him turning his form around last start is a sign of what's to come."
Millard echoed Clipperton's view: "He's a nice horse. He ran a very good race last time and he's there in good form. Gate five is good for him and he's fit and well." -HKJC
Tony Millard's charge heads to the 12-runner heat off a smart third behind Little Dragon at the course and distance last month and warmed up for this with a handy second in a barrier trial on the Sha Tin all-weather a little more than a week ago.
"It's good form around Land Grant and I was quite impressed with his trial the other morning behind My Darling, so his work's been good and he's indicating to me that he's ready to win. And he's in the right race on Thursday night," Clipperton said at Sha Tin trackwork this morning, Wednesday, 19 April.
The High Chaparral gelding's one Hong Kong win from 12 starts to date was achieved at the course and distance in March last year. His first five efforts this term were some way below that level, so Clipperton was delighted to climb aboard for the first time last start and find the bay emerging from the doldrums.
"It was good to see him start to turn his form around, it's taken a few runs to probably hit peak fitness and he really put the writing on the wall last start, he went up to win and probably just peaked on his run 100 (metres) out but was only beaten a length or so," he said.
"Since then he's had a nice trial just to keep him ticking over. He's going to be well-prepared for Thursday night and we've got a good draw (five), so I would imagine him bouncing out and being in the first half somewhere, depending on the pace. If we can have a nice run he should be there in the finish again. I think him turning his form around last start is a sign of what's to come."
Millard echoed Clipperton's view: "He's a nice horse. He ran a very good race last time and he's there in good form. Gate five is good for him and he's fit and well." -HKJC