Big Time Baby running on favorite surface

Big Time Baby has struggled in turf races since arriving in Hong Kong in 2017, losing five starts. On the all-weather track at Sha Tin Racecourse, however, Big Time Baby has been more comfortable, with a win and a second in two races.

Those performances make Big Time Baby a 4-year-old gelding to follow in Wednesday’s $167,557 Egret Handicap at six furlongs on the all-weather surface at Sha Tin. The eight-race program is run entirely on the all-weather surface.

The Egret Handicap drew a field of 14, but will have a safety limit of 12 starters.

Big Time Baby won twice on turf in England as a 2-year-old in 2016, and began racing in Hong Kong in late 2017 for trainer Manfred Man Ka-leung. Big Time Baby was beaten in his first five starts before winning a minor handicap at six furlongs on the all-weather surface on Nov. 26, closing from fourth to win by two lengths.

Big Time Baby was a decent fifth after a troubled trip in a handicap at five furlongs on turf at Sha Tin on Dec. 23 in his latest start. Umberto Rispoli has ridden Big Time Baby in the last year and retains the mount Wednesday.

Big Time Baby will carry 131 pounds, two less than topweight Midnight Rattler, who is winless in eight starts since last April.

Mythical Empire, who will carry 126 pounds because of jockey Matthew Poon’s seven-pound apprentice claim, beat Big Time Baby in a handicap on the all-weather surface Nov. 1, but was beaten in three starts later in November and December.

Mythical Empire finished 11th in a handicap on Dec. 23 and was found to have abnormal breathing patterns after the race, according to a post-race report from the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Mythical Empire has had three workouts this month for his return.

Winning Vangogh is another starter who deserves attention. The 5-year-old gelding was second in two all-weather races in September, but has not raced since. Winning Vangogh has a favorable assignment of 120 pounds, thanks to jockey Dylan Mo’s seven-pound apprentice claim.