Pierre Ng Pang-chi hopes Drombeg Banner, the unlucky first reserve for the Classic Mile, can earn a spot in the remaining legs of this season’s Classic Series after he missed out on what would have been an ideal race for him last weekend.
The all-the-way winner of last month’s Class Three Lung Fu Shan Handicap (1,600m) on his second post-import start, Drombeg Banner is unbeaten in the four of his seven races in Ireland and Hong Kong in which he has settled as the leader.
At the very least, Drombeg Banner, who lines up in Sunday’s Class Three Wu King Handicap (1,600m) under Jerry Chau Chun-lok as he strives to improve his rating ahead of the Classic Cup (1,800m), would have made Classic Mile champion Voyage Bubble work harder to dictate affairs.
Ng, for whom Drombeg Banner is one of a 10-strong squad for Sunday’s meeting, believes his charge would have made his presence felt in the Classic Mile if he had not been the bubble boy.
“I was a little bit disappointed he didn’t get a run. If he’d run, with that pace, he’d definitely have earned prize money. But he didn’t, so I’ve had to look forward and find a race on Sunday,” Ng said.
“Racing against older horses will be more difficult [than versus his fellow four-year-olds], but he’s pulled up really well from his last start, and he’s improved also.
“He’ll go forward and try to get to the rail first, but we’ll have to see what horses like Frankie Lor’s do,” added Ng, referencing impressive last-start winner Massive Action in his race analysis.
Another Ng-trained galloper who grows another leg when he leads is Happy Fat Cat, whom his handler likes in the Class Four Yan Oi Tong Cup (1,200m).
Happy Fat Cat has made seven appearances since he joined rookie trainer Ng from veteran handler Tony Millard, and he is two from two for Ng – one on the dirt and one on the turf – when he finds the front.
“This race is ideal for him from that barrier draw,” Ng said of Happy Fat Cat, who will jump from gate three under apprentice jockey Angus Chung Yik-lai.
“Last start, he was drawn a bit wide with a very, very fast horse [Flying Bonus] inside him. We decided we couldn’t take him on. This weekend is more suitable for him, particularly with Angus’ allowance taking 10 pounds off his back.”
Like Caspar Fownes, John Size and Lor, Ng saddles runners in both of Sunday’s Group contests – Duke Wai in the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) and Glorious Dragon in the Group Three Centenary Vase (1,800m). Harry Bentley rides both of Ng’s stars, the trainer’s two highest-rated gallopers.
Duke Wai has had six starts for Ng and the only time the swooper has finished worse than fifth was when the barrier draw and consequential map ruined his chance of Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) glory.
“He’s fit and happy. He’s pulled up really well from last time, which was an unlucky run over 1,000m, and he’s had a good trial,” Ng said of Duke Wai.
“He’s running against two very good horses [in Lucky Sweynesse and Wellington] on Sunday. From gate three, he’ll be more positive than most of his recent starts. I think he’ll make the top four.”
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Glorious Dragon carried just 113 pounds to win the 2021 Centenary Vase for Francis Lui Kin-wai and Matthew Poon Ming-fai, but he must lug 135 pounds in this year’s edition as he continues his comeback from fetlock surgeries.
“Last start was his first run for 13 months and he did exceptionally well, losing by only four lengths at Happy Valley,” Ng said of Glorious Dragon.
“He’s getting better and better, and he’ll get his chance in Sunday’s race, which is more suitable for him because it’s at Sha Tin. I think he can win. It’s only his age that’s going to stop him.”
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