Yee Cheong Baby (124lb) has done nothing but impress trainer Jimmy Ting since arriving in Hong Kong and the son of Sebring will attempt to build on a debut win in Wednesday’s (22 May) Class 2 Suffolk Handicap (1200m).

“He has improved and I think he is better, the form is good and everything is fine,” Ting said at Sha Tin this morning, Tuesday, 21 May.

The Australian import won his Hong Kong debut, the Class 3 Seoul Handicap (1000m), with Zac Purton in the saddle. The champion jockey is sticking with the promising three-year-old for his second start, but Ting is not counting his chickens going into a tough Class 2 assignment.

“It’s his first time over 1200 metres, he’s never run the distance,” Ting said. “I don’t know if he’s going to handle it or not, he handled it in the trial, but in the race you don’t know.”

The Handicapper handed Yee Cheong Baby six points for his maiden effort, lifting him straight into Class 2 on a mark of 86.

Ting is expecting a fast tempo with the 12-strong field featuring noted pacesetters Fat Turtle (118lb), Little Bird (127lb) and Montreal (123lb).

“I’ll try to be forward, but I don’t know, there are some horses that are very fast too, so if that one horse wants to lead, maybe we sit a little bit,” Ting added.

Yee Cheong Baby scoring on debut with Zac Purton in the saddle.

Known as Neutrality pre-import, the son of Sebring won on debut at Rosehill in 2017 before finishing fourth at G2 level in the Silver Slipper.

The gelding’s career-best performance came in the G3 San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill where he finished second to Graff, who then placed at G1 level behind The Autumn Sun and was fifth in the $13 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick.

Ting saddles up six on Wednesday’s card at Happy Valley, including Telecom Puma (133lb) in the Class 3 Norfolk Handicap (1200m), who will also be ridden by Zac Purton.

“The horse keeps improving, so I hope this time he has improved a bit more, this time Zac Purton is on, so I hope that he gets a good chance,” the first-season handler said.

Telecom Puma has been competitive across three outings in Hong Kong. His biggest win to date came pre-import in New Zealand, tallying a G2 success in the Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings at the tail-end of 2017.

“He did well in New Zealand, so I hope that he can keep the form,” Ting said.

Takingufurther (125lb) flies the flag for Ting in the Class 4 Dorset Handicap (1200m) and Ting is optimistic that the removal of blinkers will help the gelding relax behind the gates.

“Last time I gave him the blinkers he seemed a bit nervous; this time I will try the visor so that he can see more,” the handler said.

Ting will also saddle up Letsgofree (129lb), Big Bang Bong (124lb) and Ballistic King (123lb) at the city track.

Harley’s on High for Five

High Five (127lb) gave Martin Harley his first Hong Kong success and the duo will revive their partnership in the Class 2 sprint.

“He’s got a nice draw which I’m happy about, he seems in good form, he had a big run last start on the dirt in Class 2 company, so I’m very hopeful,” Harley said.
                              
Harley’s four wins have been spread out, his most recent coming aboard Allied Agility in early May, but the Irishman remains positive that his 100% strike rate aboard High Five can remain intact.

“There looks to be loads of speed in the race and he likes being handy, so if we can be there without putting him on his head that’s what we’ll do. I’m delighted to get back on him and see if we can make it two from two,” he added.

Moreira the key to Kingdom?

Paul O’Sullivan’s Last Kingdom (124lb) has hit a smart patch of form, placing in three of his last four races, and the handler is hopeful the gelding can get off the mark in the Class 3 Lancashire Handicap (1650m).

“He’s drawn a bit of an awkward gate, I’ll just leave it Joao (Moreira) to work it out, but his form has come sound and he’s been consistent so he deserves to win a race,” O’Sullivan said.

Last Kingdom finishing second at Happy Valley behind Green Luck.

Last Kingdom is one of five horses currently racing in Hong Kong by the great Frankel and if successful on Wednesday night, he will become the third to win a race after Simply Brilliant and Enjoyable Success before him.

Frankel was unbeaten across his 14-start career including 10 individual G1 victories, retiring at a record high rating of 140.

Frankel’s sometimes unpredictable temperament is not a trait Last Kingdom inherited; instead the horse has been a pleasure for O’Sullivan to train, albeit without putting a win next to his name.

“Quiet, five-year-old bull; he’s just like an old gelding,” the handler said.

O’Sullivan saddles four at Happy Valley (22 May) including last-start winner Planet Star (127lb) in the Class 3 Norfolk Handicap (1200m).

“Planet Star is in good form, so he’ll just work himself to the lead or close to it,” O’Sullivan said.

Victor Wong will be looking to make it two-from-two aboard Planet Star after driving the gelding to a narrow victory last start.

“I think it was a real on-pace bias that day, very much so, the first two around the corner won all night,” O’Sullivan said.

Happy Valley’s eight race card starts at 7.15pm with the Class 5 Cornwall Handicap (1650m).