Jolly Banner (124lb) and Chad Schofield paired to win the Class 1 Kwangtung Handicap Cup (1400m) last season and that combination will attempt to go back-to-back in Sunday’s (9 September) Sha Tin feature.
Ricky Yiu’s charge saw off eight rivals, including last week’s Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1200m) hero Winner’s Way, when landing the spoils last term. This time, four opponents stand between the seven-year-old and a repeat win.
“It’s a really nice race for him, being a small field,” Schofield said after barrier trials at Sha Tin Racecourse this morning, Friday, 7 September. “He’s such an easy horse to ride. He’ll be the first horse to leave the gates and he can relax and travel with cover if I want to. I’ll speak to Ricky and see what we come up with but the race looks good for him.”
Schofield also knows that Jolly Banner has a fine first-up record. The Lonhro gelding has kicked off three of his four previous seasons with a win.