Brett Doyle celebrates aboard old timer Joy And Fun at Sha Tin
PICTURE: Hong Kong Jockey ClubBrett Doyle in HK spotlight on Joy And Fun
Report: Hong Kong, Sunday
Sha Tin: HKSAR Chief Executive's Cup (Class 1) 6f, turf, 4yo+
JOY AND FUN (Derek Cruz/Brett Doyle) struck a blow for the old guard as the new Hong Kong season swung into action at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Winless since landing the inaugural Al Quoz Sprint on the 2010 Dubai World Cup card, the eight-year-old sustained a condylar fracture to his near foreleg in the Golden Jubilee Stakes a few months later and somewhat understandably wasn't at his best inhis five Hong Kong starts last season.
However, he posted signs of a resurgence in a recent barrier trial and made the most of his lowest handicap mark in over three years to lift the traditional season opener under a patient steer from British jockey Doyle by nearly two lengths from the even-money favourite Little Bridge.
"He's back to his old self again," a delighted Cruz later enthused of certainly one of the best horses ever to pass though his care.
"This will be his last season whatever happens, but he'll be trained now for the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint in December, then for Dubai in March and perhaps he'll even go back to Ascot if he's still in form."
Also on Sunday
Sha Tin: An expedition overseas may no longer be on the agenda for last season's champion griffin Bear Hero after the odds-on favourite failed to live up to billing in a Class 3 sprint over 6f.
Bear Hero: failed to fire on return
PICTURE: Hong Kong Jockey ClubHe went under to a useful rival in the form of King Mossman (John Size/Douglas Whyte).
Bear Hero had been an intended runner in the Coolmore Stakes in Melbourne at the end of October but trainer David Ferraris is likely to reappraise that objective after his three-year-old failed to capitalise on a 15lb pull at the weights from the winner.
Just two months ago as the 2010-11 season climaxed, Smart Giant formed part of the memorable four-timer that helped John Moore to his first trainers' premiership in 16 years.
The progressive son of Pins made light of the step-up to Class 2 company - not to mention an impeded passage in the stretch under Darren Beadman - to notch the first success of the season for the champion stable.On this evidence, this four-year-old could well develop into a Group-class player as the season develops.
The same may yet be said in time of Eagle Regiment (Manfred Man/Olivier Doleuze), who had little difficulty in justifying his odds-on quote in the Class 2 Albery Handicap down the straight 5f chute.
Dual HK champion trainer Caspar Fownes, who saddled Lucky Nine to finish second in the Grade 2 Centaur Stakes in Japan on Sunday, hit the mark at home as rank outsider Victory Mascot (Jacky Tong) collected the Class 4 1m handicap back at Sha Tin.
Earlier on, the distinction of being the first winner, and successful favourite, of the new campaign fell to Planet (Danny Shum/Darren Beadman) in a basement-class dash.
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