Reliable Team's Sha Tin debut can point way to Derby prospects

Beauty Rush
7.50 Sha Tin
2pts win

Quadruple Double
8.25 Sha Tin
2pts win

Reliable Team
9.00 Sha Tin
2pts win

Trainer David Hall has a knack of developing young equine talent and Quadruple Double (8.25), who attempts his third win of the season, in the Class 3 6f handicap, stands as a good example of his expertise.

When still a maiden after two seasons in Hong Kong, high hopes were still held for the son of Zoustar, who had taken a long time to find his way. Finally, the breakthrough came this year, and now the four-year-old has won two of his last three starts.

Hall, a Melbourne Cup-winning trainer (Makybe Diva 2003), now raises the bar with Quadruple Double, who is asked to make the progression from Class 4 to Class 3 – a step that quite often proves beyond some young horses.

In his favour, however, is an inside draw and the fact that both his wins have been over course and distance. Matthew Poon, former champion apprentice in South Australia, will be in the saddle again. Lone Eagle and Big Fortune, are the dangers.

One of the most interesting races is the Lukfook Jewellery Cup, a Class 2 7f handicap, in which the John Size-trained Beauty Rush (7.50) clashes with well-credentialed Perfect Match.

Full ten-race card at Sha Tin

Joao Moreira is booked to ride Beauty Rush for the first time and this tips the balance in favour of the former Godolphin-owned, James Cummings-trained gelding, who won four races, including a Group 3 in Australia before export.

His last run was his best in Hong Kong, a solid third over course and distance, and from an inside draw he will be hard to run down.

The Frankie Lor-trained Decrypt, third behind Phoenix Of Spain and Too Darn Hot in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, makes his local debut with Zac Purton aboard.

Lor and Purton also combine with Reliable Team (9.00), who will be hard to beat in the finale, the Class 3 handicap, which will mark the gelding’s debut at Sha Tin. The more spacious track should suit the son of Reliable Man to perfection.

Reliable Team is now three from five and gives every indication he can live up to the expectations of connections, who consider him a Hong Kong Derby prospect. This will be an accurate pointer to the validity of those claims.

Don't forget: Members receive Pricewise Extra at 10am daily on racingpost.com