Hugh Bowman is optimistic a drop in distance will pave the way for Sky Trust to push for victory in the first section of the Class 3 Cosmos Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Saturday (15 March) when the gelding squares off with emerging talent Sky Jewellery.
Twelfth in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) behind Rubylot on 2 March after making a long, sustained gallop from the back straight, Sky Trust drops to 1400m – a trip which has yielded two wins and six minor placings for the So You Think gelding.
“I thought his run, although well-beaten, was actually unbelievable last start,” Bowman said.
“He jumped well and didn’t settle, so I let him gallop down the back straight but, even though three-wide, he got into a really sweet rhythm on the bend and it was no surprise to see him pick up into the straight but I was surprised at how long he sustained his gallop, having behaved the way he did in the early and middle stages.
“So, back in trip is a huge advantage to him and the horse is in great form. He’s a big horse, so the weight (135lb), he’ll certainly be able to carry.”
A reserve for the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin on 23 March, Caspar Fownes-trained Sky Trust faces 11 rivals this weekend including Sky Jewellery, whose two wins from only three starts have come under Bowman.