The in-form pair of Karis Teetan and John Size will team up when Teetan reunites with Urembo Alliance in the Grade Two ParisLongchamp Handicap (1,650m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Teetan has enjoyed a very successful month which has included a treble – each victory aboard a Greatness-trained horse – followed by a double a week ago at Sha Tin.
“Size’s recent form has been good. I’ve ridden a couple of races for him this season and he’s given me a few chances now. So, hopefully we can continue to have a few winners for him,” Teetan said.
The Mauritian jockey will take the reins of the last-start winner Beauty Alliance for the first time this season as the son of Starcraft returns to Class Two company.
While the five-year-old has drawn an outside barrier of 11, the light weight of 118lb should help ease the task.
“It was a good ride to take. It was a good win last time and I’d say he goes into the race with a good weight on his back as well. He’s drawn to win, but he’s in good shape,” Teetan said.
“He runs well and has run well in Grade Two, so he can handle that kind of pressure. He’s in good form, so I’m looking forward to taking him up.”
Teetan has a total of seven riders on Wednesday night, including Frankie’s current winner Lor Fu-chuen in the first leg of the Grade Four Chantilly Handicap (1,200m).
After riding him to work this week and drawing the inside barrier of two at 118 pounds, Teetan is positive about the Toronado gelding’s chances.
“Last time he had to win the outside gate and just touch the line. I think with the draw he got this time, it should help him. He’s a horse that’s been going well. I worked him a couple of days ago and he looks like he’s in good shape,” Teetan said.
Teetan and Viva Firecracker combined for the first time last start, which resulted in third place, and Teetan was keen to stay with the Tony Cruz-trained runner in the second leg of the Grade Four Saint-Cloud Handicap (1,650m).
“I thought he ran a big race last time. He had every opportunity to run that race. I thought maybe he had a bit of a stutter, got a bit crowded in the straight – which probably broke his pace. But I think he’s a horse – at that level and in that class – he’d be able to win,” Teetan said.
The son of Sooboog appreciated the move to 1,650 meters in the last start and this time he has been more impressive at barrier five, which should allow more options.
“Last time, Tony asked me to see how he goes out of the gate and make a decision, so we ended up in a good rhythm from the draw. He might put himself in a good position again from the draw this time. I’ll see if we go out of the gate he will finish,” Teetan said.
Fortunate Son looks to have his best chance of winning at Grade Three level after recording two career wins at Grade Four when he competes in May’s French Grand Final (1,650m).
The Cody-trained athlete Mo Wai-kit was eliminated at the start of the final after a mix-up in the parade ring, causing him to rear up and fall. The five-year-old was removed by order of the administrators after being examined by a veterinary officer, who declared him unfit to compete.
“Honestly, I’m not sure exactly what happened the last time. Before I got to the parade ring, I saw there was an incident and of course the vet didn’t want to take the chance so of course he was removed,” Teetan said.
“He’s a horse that I thought raced very well with me at Happy Valley – we got caught and he wasn’t beaten by a distance. So, you know, if he could get back in that race, I think he could run well here.”
Teetan joins another Mo runner in the form of Motor, who steps up when he takes the Grade Three Deauville Handicap (1,200m).
“He’s running in Class Three, he’s moving up in class now. His last two races were good races. He won and then he ran third. He’s got a good draw, he’s got no weight on his back. It’s a tough race, so we’ll have to see,” Teetan said.
He will also be looking for his third Celtic Times win in the first part of the Saint-Cloud Handicap.
“I’ve beaten him before, I know him very well. He’s been running well recently, he’s been taken out. I remember the last time I won on him, the race was run. So if he gets the speed he needs in the race, then he’s a horse going down,” Teetan said.
Wah May Wai Wai, Irish import Tony Cruz will be looking for his best Hong Kong win in the Grade Five Maisons-Laffitte Handicap (1,650m).
“He’s a horse that’s been going along a bit. He’s been running a few good races this season. It’s going to be tough from that draw, but he’s a good going horse. If he gets the right race or he doesn’t have to work too much – it’s a Grade Five race – so he should be able to run well,” Teetan said.
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