All eyes on Prawn Baba in Le French May Trophy

Prawn Baba was no match for Exultant in the Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup at 1 1/2 miles on turf at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on May 6. Prawn Baba was beaten six lengths by Exultant, who finished third in the Irish 2,000 Guineas in 2017 before being sent to Hong Kong.

On Wednesday, Prawn Baba will be the focus of attention in the $236,966 Le French May Trophy at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Happy Valley Racecourse. Exultant is not in Wednesday’s field, and is rated as a leading contender for Sunday’s Group 1 Champions and Chater Cup at 1 1/2 miles on turf at Sha Tin.

Prawn Baba will carry 133 pounds, the topweight in Wednesday's field of nine.

Trained by John Size, Prawn Baba beat Exultant by 1 1/4 lengths in a $236,966 handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Sha Tin on April 15. Prawn Baba, who will be ridden by Olivier Doleuze, tends to run from a stalking position. He won a handicap at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Sha Tin in January.

Prawn Baba, a 5-year-old Australian-bred gelding, will spot his eight rivals four to 17 pounds.

Helene Charisma is second on the weights at 129 pounds, but the 5-year-old gelding is winless in seven starts during the current Hong Kong season and is showing little sign of the form that led to a win in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris at Saint-Cloud Racecourse in France in 2016 while racing under the name Mont Ormel. Horses frequently have their names changed when they are sent to Hong Kong.

This will be the first start for Helene Charisma since a last-place finish in a field of nine in the Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup on Feb. 25.

Doyeni, who will carry 126 pounds, has brighter form, with third-place finishes behind Prawn Baba in the handicap at Sha Tin on April 15 and a third in the Queen Mother Memorial Cup. Doyeni is winless in 10 starts this season.

The Le French May Trophy will be a class test for Sharp Sailor, who will carry 119 pounds, and Gorgeous King, who will carry 117. They have both won their last two starts against lesser competition. This will be the first start for Gorgeous King since November.