Classic Emperor likes Victoria Racing Club Trophy surface

Classic Emperor was having a fine winter season in Hong Kong before he was sent to Dubai earlier this year. In two starts at Meydan Racecourse, Classic Emperor unseated his rider in his first start in February and finished eighth in his next appearance in March.

Classic Emperor is back in Hong Kong and on his preferred surface in Wednesday’s $236,981 Victoria Racing Club Trophy at about a mile and 50 yards on the dirt course at Sha Tin.

The Victoria Racing Club Trophy is the leading race on an eight-race program entirely on dirt. There were 10 turf races at Sha Tin on Sunday, including three Group 1 races.

Trained by Chris So, Classic Emperor has won two of three starts on Sha Tin’s dirt track. He won a race at the same distance and class level as the Victoria Racing Club Trophy in his latest start in Hong Kong on Jan. 13.

Classic Emperor, a 6-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding by Medaglia d’Oro, is most effective as a closer, which could work in his favor on Wednesday. The Victoria Racing Club Handicap should have an honest pace, with runners such as Beauty Prince and Calculation capable of setting the pace.

Keith Yeung, an apprentice who claims two pounds, has the mount on Classic Emperor, who will carry 131 pounds, two less than topweight Packing Dragon.

Beauty Prince led throughout a handicap at a mile and 50 yards on dirt at Sha Tin on March 11, his first win in five starts on the surface. Beauty Prince was second to Classic Emperor in January. Zac Purton, who won two Group 1 races on Sunday, has the mount.

Trainer John Size, who had the first three finishers in the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize on Sunday, starts Calculation, a 4-year-old Irish-bred gelding. Calculation has started twice on the dirt course at Sha Tin, winning his debut on March 11 in a race at a mile and 50 yards and finishing a fast-closing second in a six-furlong race on April 15.

Packing Dragon won consecutive turf races at Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong in February, but has been beaten in his last two starts, also on turf. Packing Dragon is winless in three career starts on dirt.