One-time boom Hong Kong sprinter, Amber Sky still has questions hanging over his ability beyond 1,000m but his barrier trial at Sha Tin Tuesday left no doubts about his condition.
It was the four-year-old’s first public showing of the new season and stable apprentice Dicky Lui let Amber Sky lead then coast to the line in a narrow second to proven Cerise Cherry over a straight 800m.
The winner was pushed out to beat the younger horse and that result is significant as Cerise Cherry was an unlucky second last year in the traditional opening day feature, the Chief Executive’s Cup, before his career highlight Group Two win second-up.
The pair could clash in that 1,200m race this year as Amber Sky seeks to bounce back from failing with a minor internal bleeding problem last start in May, his only 1,200m start. Amber Sky’s huge reputation ended in tatters with just one win from seven runs last season but he is still only quite lightly-raced.
His trainer Ricky Yiu seems to have a number of horses ready to kick off the season well, and Yat Ding Win – who lost his win last season due to a positive drug test – impressed when second in the next turf trial.
Later in the day, Happy Champion ran on strongly into second for Manfred Man’s team in heat six.
Trainer Tony Cruz is invariably a player right from the opening meeting of the season, where he rarely misses out on winning a race, and he looks to have several horses already looking forward in condition.
High-rated sprinter El Zonda is a rising eight-year-old now but was fresh and well winning his 1,200m dirt trial on Tuesday and he too could be headed towards the Chief Executive’s Cup. Lightly-raced Multivictory was another from the stable to look in good form winning his trial.
By Nathan Mody
