The John Moore-trained Above (NZ) (Tavistock) will be out to continue his good run of form at Happy Valley on Wednesday in the Class 3 Heather Handicap (2200m).
With championship leading jockey Joao Moreira sidelined due to suspension, Moore will utilise the red-hot Chad Schofield and the pair will break from gate four in a field of 10.
The Tavistock gelding cruised to a six-length win last start at Sha Tin over 2000m and will look for his second course and distance score at the Valley tomorrow night.
“His last win was super impressive – he’s a horse who seems to have taken a bit of time to hit his straps and mature and he looks like he’s in very good form off his last start win,” Schofield said.
A four-time winner now from 19 starts, the New Zealand-bred took 11 runs to break his Hong Kong maiden, but Moore credits his consistency this term to his development.
“He’s getting better with age, which is typical of the Tavistock breed. He’s doing everything right going into the race and staying is his game,” Moore said.
The Privately Purchased Griffin arrived in Hong Kong rated 52 and has progressed to a mark of 68.
“He’s looking promising especially for the development of a nice stayer for the future because I think he will hold his own in a higher class than this.”
Following his 12-point rating rise win last start, the four-year-old now faces Class 3 for the first time.
“He’s into Class 3 now which is always tough but 2200m is his distance, the further the better and with a nice galloping weight and off his last win you’d think he’d be hard to beat again,” Schofield said.
Against Above is another stayer on the rise, the David Hall-trained London Hall (NZ) (He’s Remarkable) who is looking to notch a hat-trick of wins and his first score at the city circuit.
The He’s Remarkable gelding is a four-time winner at Sha Tin.
Matthew Chadwick will partner the five-year-old again and the pair will break from gate one.
“Hopefully the firmer ground will help us instead of Above but I don’t think Happy Valley will be a problem,” Chadwick said.
“We’ve drawn gate one, so it’s a nice gate to draw at Happy Valley and we’ll ride him accordingly – wherever he is happy and comfortable.”
“I’m not sure how the pace will unfold but it could be interesting – he’s a very easy going horse, so whatever happens shouldn’t really bother him,” Chadwick said.
