Our Hong Kong maestro thinks that Big might make punters a Fortune at Sha Tin

Big Fortune
7.50 Sha Tin
2pts win

Duke Wai
8.25 Sha Tin
2pts win

Farhh Above
9.00 Sha Tin
2pts win

Douglas Whyte is set to continue the brilliant start to his training career at Sha Tin, where the crowd will be restricted to 1200 as the Hong Kong Jockey Club follows government health guidelines in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.

Whyte excelled in the saddle, winning 13 consecutive jockeys’ titles and now he is showing the same dedication in his new role, to the point where he is joint fourth in the trainers’ championship.

He has a handful of good chances on this card, the best being the exciting Farhh Above, who is on target to notch the third win of his career in the 7f handicap (9.00).

The four-year-old could not have been more impressive previously when coming from last on the home bend to win over 6f. Unsurprisingly, he has gone up 8lb in the handicap as a result. That will not be enough to stop him, although his price may be short.

Whyte also sends out the ultra-consistent Big Fortune in the earlier 7f handicap (7.50), and this reliable five-year-old may provide better value than his stablemate. With Karis Teetan aboard, he should go very close despite an awkward draw.

Big Fortune has never finished out of the first three in six starts for Whyte – he won two – and his form is on an upward curve. Both wins were in a grade lower, but he gives every indication that he can measure up in this company.

Teetan will also be aboard the Paul O’Sullivan-trained Duke Wai in an intriguing clash with the talented Voyage Warrior in the 6f handicap (8.25). Computer Patch and Country Star are other key contenders in a strong field.

Duke Wai has made rapid progress through the ranks. He has won his last four contests, bounding from Class 4 to Class 2 and going up 28lb in the process. His winning run may not end yet.

He was able to cope with a step up in grade and distance last time to suggest he will have the better of Voyage Warrior, who returned to form when dropped to 5f last time.

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