Flying Ace came from the clouds to remain unbeaten at Sha Tin on Thursday, with Matthew Poon Ming-fai threading the needle aboard David Hall’s exciting four-year-old to take out the Class Three Great Profits Handicap (1,200m).
Looking to make it three wins from as many starts, Flying Ace was taken back to last by Poon and was still at the back cornering for home before the jockey asked for an effort and the gaps appeared as he speared through the middle of the field.
“He won his first race in style as well and he’s been quite eye-catching in both his wins and he certainly went on with it today,” Hall said.
“It was a bit tougher up in class and coming from well back. It was a great ride by Matthew, he got the runs at the right time and the horse has got the talent to get the job done.”
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On a day when horses made ground throughout the card, Flying Ace stormed home off an even tempo to defeat long-time leader Super Fortune by a length and a quarter in his first Class Three appearance.
The son of Swiss Ace has exhibited versatility in his brief career, also launching a late run from well back to salute on debut at Happy Valley before assuming the box seat on his way to victory in his first attempt at the Sha Tin 1,200m a month ago.
“Most horses that win their first time out at Happy Valley have got some points in hand and we thought that but they’ve still got to go and do it and it’s a bit tougher up in that grade with a bit more pressure,” Hall said.
“I think it was great that he relaxed in the gate and the style in which he’s doing it is what sort of gives you hope that he’s going to go a little bit further.
“He’s had three starts for three wins so, how high he gets, we’ll just wait and see and what distance he can run is probably another question as well – whether we can increase him up to 1,400m-1,600m?
“It’s exciting that we’ve got some options – we’ve been to Happy Valley, Sha Tin and it looks as if we can increase his distance. He’s got some more to give.”
Poon went onto complete a running double to round out the card, taking out the final event – the Class Two Fat Choi Handicap (1,800m) – aboard Danny Shum Chap-shing’s Charity Go.
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It was the seven-year-old’s first win since December 2020 and he now has three victories from his 37 Hong Kong starts.
Shinn impresses Gibson
Blake Shinn has earned the praise of trainer Richard Gibson after again delivering the goods for the Englishman.
Shinn has only had three rides for Gibson this season – all in the past couple of weeks – and has won on two of them, with Cordyceps Six snaring his third win of the season in the Class Three Good Fortune Handicap (1,000m).
“Blake [is] a top international jockey and because of his recent successes with other stables, we’ve had the possibility of using him more and he never lets you down. He always does his best,” Gibson said.
After starting the season on a mark of 60 after one win from three appearances in Griffin grade last term, Cordyceps Six will now find himself in Class Two after letting down nicely from forward of midfield for a comfortable victory.
“You’ve got to remember he’s only three years old and I thought it was a very impressive performance today. We expected him to win and I thought he won with style,” Gibson said.
“Blake trialled the horse 10 days ago and thought the 1,200m wouldn’t be a problem, so we’ll look at options. He put away a good field of horses today with some style, I thought.
“He’s only three and he can only get better with age. He’s in really good nick and he’s a pleasure to train.”
Cordyceps Six finished a length and a half clear of the Ricky Yiu Poon-fai-trained Alcari with Tony Cruz’s Whizz Kid fading into third after dictating in the run.
Shinn moved to 15 victories for the campaign but will miss the next four meetings through suspension.
Owners back on track
Owners with starters and their companions will be allowed back on track from this Sunday’s Happy Valley meeting, the first time there will be spectators on course since January 9.
Owners will be joined on track by staff members, club officials, licensed personnel and those crucial to running the race meeting, with these conditions to remain in place until at least the meeting on February 27.
Members, media and the general public remain unable to attend.
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