Tony Cruz-trained sprinter Bullish Friend was one of the finds of last season and the four-year-old looks ready to pick up where he left off when the new Hong Kong season gets going on September 8.
Cruz won the first two of four barrier trials on Wednesday, another indication that the trainer, who was very narrowly pipped for last season’s championship, will be ready to fire early as he attempts to put that result right.
Bullish Friend showed his usual speed to lead for Matt Chadwick and his regulation courage to have his nose in front over handy stablemate Beauty Journey on the line.
As a three-year-old, Bullish Friend won 5 of his 11 starts, 3 in very tight finishes, before he was nosed out at Happy Valley in his final run in July.
He has the rating to take his place in the featured Chief Executive’s Cup on opening day if Cruz wishes to run him there, although punters might take note the son of Court Command and Group One sprint winner Lady Jakeo has not won first-up but is unbeaten second-up.
Cruz-trained Naughty Baby won the second trial narrowly, but the one to watch from it may be runner-up, the enigmatic City Delight.
Manfred Man-trained City Delight has always shown a lot more ability than his low rating would suggest but frequently disappointed in races last season.
His only run in Class Five however, he won, and he finds himself back in that grade now and moved in this trial like a horse being readied to strike early.
Planes continue to arrive with new horses for the season ahead, the latest a shipment of six mostly lightly-raced youngsters from Australia, including Sydney winner Brilliant Terror on his way to champion trainer Dennis Yip and the hugely-impressive Cranbourne Maiden winner, Sharp Money, who will join Peter Ho’s yard.
By Nathan Mody
