Pierre Ng hopes Taj Dragon’s imposing course and distance prowess will offset the gelding’s weight challenge in the G3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (22 September).
Taj Dragon has won six times and placed twice from 12 starts over Sha Tin’s 1400m trip, but Ng is aware the Irish-bred gelding will have to post a new career-high when he shoulders 135lb against six rivals this weekend, having never won with more than 133lb previously.
To face Flying Ace (131lb), Healthy Happy (129lb), Packing Treadmill (122lb), The Golden Scenery (121lb), Chiu Chow Spirit (117lb) and Wonder Kit (115lb), Taj Dragon will start from barrier one under Vincent Ho.
“Taj Dragon’s doing well, training really well but the one concern I have is the topweight in a Group 3, carrying 135 (pounds),” Ng said. “He’s only a small horse, which makes it more difficult but he’s got the class to run well.
“He’s come back really well, so we have planned for 1400 metres and next run will be 1200m (G2 Premier Bowl on 20 October) with the blinkers. I think he can run really well on Sunday.”