Douglas Whyte hopes Flaming Rabbit can ascend to Group company next season after the classy import eclipsed a talent-laden field to win the Class 2 Kau Sai Chau Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Monday night (3 July).
Earning a HK$2 million PP Bonus by posting his first Hong Kong win after three minor placings, Flaming Rabbit delivered on the ability he had displayed in three wins in Europe for German trainer Peter Schiergen with a tough front-running performance under Lyle Hewitson.
Showing tremendous grit, the Time Test four-year-old had a length-and-a-quarter on the line from Find My Love with Sauvestre, a further length away in third placing, while three-year-old Howdeepisyourlove was an eye-catching fourth after storming from the rear of the field on the turn.
“He’s a lovely horse, he’s probably been a bit unlucky in some circumstances, but he also creates in his own luck with his gate speed and tonight was probably the telling of him. There was a lot of pressure early and he was still very strong at the end,” Whyte said of Flaming Rabbit.
“That shows he’s certainly getting better, mentally stronger and adapting to Hong Kong’s style of racing. He got here late in his four-year-old season and he’s adapted very quickly and accepted everything I’ve asked of him.
“He looks like he’ll be a miler – probably get to 10 furlongs (2000m) here at Sha Tin with his racing style – he’s just a lovely horse to look forward to next season.”