Howdeepisyourlove faces acid test: ‘after this race, we’ll know where he stands’

Both Karis Teetan and Howdeepisyourlove have been doing their best work at Happy Valley lately, but the Mauritian jockey is hopeful the John Size-trained three-year-old can transfer his strong form to Sha Tin for Saturday’s Class Two Nurturing Talent Handicap (1,200m).

While eight of Teetan’s past 10 wins have come at Happy Valley, Howdeepisyourlove has only ever raced at the city circuit.

After one win from his first five starts, the gelding has won his past two races – both with Teetan in the saddle – to rocket into Class Two company and earn himself a crack at a race featuring another galloper seeking a hat-trick in Danny Shum Chap-shing’s Victor The Winner.

“It’s going to be a tough task for him tomorrow. He’s done really well in his last couple of starts, but it’s a very strong race,” Teetan said.

“There are some nice horses in there. Victor The Winner looks very promising, so it’s going to be a good test, and after this race, we’ll know where he stands.

“He has got a nice weight, he’s got a nice draw, and I think he’ll get his chance to be competitive. He’s certainly promising.”

Howdeepisyourlove jumps from gate four, and with only 119 pounds on his back, he should be able to take up a nice position just off a speed that Nervous Witness is likely to be set out of barrier three.

Teetan conceded he heads to Sha Tin with only an even book of rides as he looks to add to his 41 victories so far this season – “a few of my rides have nice draws, so anything is possible” – with the likes of Happy Daily, Red Hare King and Give Way Please among his chances.

He is looking forward to seeing what Ricky Yiu Poon-fai-trained debutant Sunlight Power has to offer in the Class Four JC Volunteer Together Handicap (1,200m) after his string of solid Conghua trials.

“I’ve just been watching his trials, and it looks like he’s doing everything right, but I haven’t sat on him, so we’ll wait and see,” Teetan said.

“Ricky is flying at the moment. He’s really getting his horses into top form going into races, so it’s nice to have the chance to ride him a winner.”

Moreira to return for Champions Day, Russian Emperor withdrawn from QE II Cup

While Teetan boasts a full book of 10 mounts this weekend, he remains without a ride in the three Champions Day features on April 30, with the likes of James McDonald, Joao Moreira and Cristian Demuro set to jet into Hong Kong for the marquee meeting.

“I haven’t got any rides yet for the big day. I’m hoping for something to pop up, but so far I haven’t been able to pick up anything,” he said.

Rounding out Teetan’s Saturday hand are General Winner, Beato, Packing Hurricane, Master Of Fortune and Celtic Times.

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