John Size says the generous handicap that Red Lion will receive and the services of “perfect” partner Richard Kingscote might be enough to overcome a tricky draw in the HK$5.35 million G2 Sha Tin Trophy (1600m).
In a race expected to be run at a strong clip, drawing gate 13 might have scuppered the chances of his Group 1-winning galloper in Sunday’s (19 October) feature. But the consistent six-year-old will bear just 119lb – the lightest impost he’s carried in almost 22 months – and Size says he’s seen some improvement over the off-season.
“The handicap’s going to help him out a little bit,” Size said. “He’s a little bit one-paced, Red Lion. I’m not sure if he can get up in a close enough position to whack away and win a race at 1400 (metres). But at 1600 – now that he’s a more mature horse – he’s probably got some more advantage.
“He’s had a few trials, he’s done a bit of work and he’s in good enough shape to go to the races. He’ll give a good account of himself.”
A leading light in Size’s stable, Red Lion makes his seasonal reappearance on Sunday following a campaign highlighted by a sensational win at 89/1 in the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m).
The seventh-best horse in the jurisdiction on current ratings (118), Red Lion will once again have to overhaul Voyage Bubble (135lb) – as he did by a lip in the FWD Champions Mile – if he is to taste Group success for a second time.
Size’s yard will also be represented by Beauty Eternal (115lb), who will be ridden by Matthew Chadwick, and Ensued (115lb), who will have Andrea Atzeni in the saddle.
With first call Hugh Bowman unable to make the 119lb weight limit imposed on Red Lion by the handicapper, Size has turned to lightweight rider Kingscote, who rode four winners in an impressive six-week stint at Sha Tin towards the end of last season.
