Harry Bentley hopes a combination of a light weight, rain-affected ground and natural stamina will be sufficient for Five G Patch to provide Tony Cruz with a fourth victory as a trainer in the HK$4.2 million G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (5 May).
Cruz, who previously won the staying test with Supreme Rabbit (2003), Super Pistachio (2011) and Exultant (2018), is represented this weekend by La City Blanche and Five G Patch, who finished sixth to Romantic Warrior in last Sunday’s (28 April) G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m).
Bentley believes Five G Patch will be suited by this Sunday’s conditions, having twice won in Ireland on yielding to slow ground when he raced as Collins Street for Joseph O’Brien.
“I think the ground will be absolutely fine for him and I think he’ll probably handle it better than some others will. We know he stays and this (2400m) is probably at the top of where he is stamina-wise, but this race looks very suitable for him,” Bentley said.
“He’s going to carry a light weight (118lb), which is going to suit. The quick back-up is obviously something to contend with especially when you’re running over these distances and isn’t as easy as it would be with a sprinter, per se. He seems in good form, looking at his results.”