Reliable Team (NZ) (Reliable Man) has enhanced his Gr.1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) claims with a characteristically defiant effort to land the Gr.2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m) under a superb ride from Derek Leung for Frankie Lor at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Leung secured victory by stacking up the field before dashing over the last 400m in 21.81s, rendering hopeless any effort from back-markers to reel Reliable Team in.
“We were always trying to get him to lead in the race and he got a bit lucky, there was no pressure on us to go too quick,” Leung said. “So, the horse was quite relaxed and he’s very fit.
“Step by step, we built the speed up. He responded very well and I think we were very lucky.
“The other horses didn’t give us any pressure, so we saved some strength for the last quarter (400m). I think 2400 (metres) will be even better for him,” Leung said.
Lor was also surprised no other horses pressured Reliable Team.
“Ka Ying Star jumped a bit slow so my horse was on his own and could relax a bit through the race,” Lor said.
Lor said while he had entered Reliable Team for both the Gr.1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and Vase (2400m), he has a preference for the longer trip.
“I enter him both, but I think 2400m should be better for him,” Lor said. “We need to keep the horse in good form and then we’ll see.”
Reliable Team was purchased out of Phoenix Park’s 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale draft for $430,000 by Upper Bloodstock.
