Chek Lap Kok Handicap next stop for Excellent Proposal

Excellent Proposal takes another step down the path to stakes racing when he starts in the featured Chek Lap Kok Handicap on Sunday at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong.

The 4-year-old Australian-bred gelding by Exceed and Excel made his Hong Kong debut in July, finishing a promising second, and already has notched a pair of wins since the 2020-21 Hong Kong season began in September. On Sept. 4, Excellent Proposal was narrowly best packing 131 pounds in a Class 3 handicap over 1,400 meters, and Sept. 20, going 1,600 meters carrying just 119 pounds in a Class 2, he was dominant in a 1 1/2-length victory.

Up eight points in the Hong Kong ratings to 92, Excellent Proposal stretches to 1,800 meters Sunday in a Class 2 handicap for horses rated 100-80. He breaks from post 3 under hot-riding Joao Moreira in a one-turn race that begins with a long run down the Sha Tin backstretch.

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Trainer John Size, who also runs Enrichment, is using this start as a barometer for the 4-year-old Championship Series next month, especially the Hong Kong Derby over 2,000 meters.

“He’s had two runs in a short space of time so I think he’s fit enough to go up to 1,800 meters and see if he’s capable, but the way he travels, I think he’ll probably be able to do it,” Size told Hong Kong Jockey Club publicity.

Excellent Proposal won three of his four Australian starts during 2019.

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Top-rated entrants Helene Leadingstar and Ho Ho Khan exit the Class 1 ranks and must pack 133 pounds each. Reliable Team, the mount of Zac Purton, won at the level and distance when last seen racing in June, and although that start came at Happy Valley, he’s found success before at Sha Tin.

The feature goes as the last of 10 races on a card that starts at 12:45 a.m. Eastern, with wagering and live video available at DRFBets.com.

Ratings raise for Golden Sixty

Golden Sixty had his official rating bumped up to 120 following his victory over Beauty Generation last weekend, while Beauty Generation’s mark remained unchanged at 130, highest in Hong Kong. Beauty Generation conceded 17 pounds to his younger rival in their recent meeting, but would give Golden Sixty only 10 pounds if the pair squares off again in the Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy on Oct. 18 at Sha Tin.