Midweek trophy races don't come any tougher than the Indian Recreation Club Challenge Cup (1,650m) at Happy Valley tonight but a return to firmer ground could be enough to swing the tables the way of Little Island (NZ) (Tavistock).
Little Island ran a great race for third to Bullish Smart two runs ago at his third Hong Kong appearance after not getting the best of trips through the race from an awkward draw.
Things looked to shape up better for the Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained gelding on March 9 when he lined up with a gate one draw but a rain-softened surface seemed to throw the whole meeting into chaos. Long-priced surprises turned up all night, suggesting many runners weren't handling the slippery conditions and Little Island managed only fifth after appearing to have his chance.
But it might pay to give him another chance on a good track again and the gelding gets a race setup that looks ideal.
Not only are there many winning chances, there are just as many possible configurations of the pace and throw in the C+3 track, which usually favours on pace and well drawn, and there could be a mad early scramble for position.
Little Island is unlikely to be part of that rush, but he does have barrier one so he should be able to get a soft run the short way around before finishing the race off late. -SCMP
Little Island ran a great race for third to Bullish Smart two runs ago at his third Hong Kong appearance after not getting the best of trips through the race from an awkward draw.
Things looked to shape up better for the Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained gelding on March 9 when he lined up with a gate one draw but a rain-softened surface seemed to throw the whole meeting into chaos. Long-priced surprises turned up all night, suggesting many runners weren't handling the slippery conditions and Little Island managed only fifth after appearing to have his chance.
But it might pay to give him another chance on a good track again and the gelding gets a race setup that looks ideal.
Not only are there many winning chances, there are just as many possible configurations of the pace and throw in the C+3 track, which usually favours on pace and well drawn, and there could be a mad early scramble for position.
Little Island is unlikely to be part of that rush, but he does have barrier one so he should be able to get a soft run the short way around before finishing the race off late. -SCMP