Crawford hopes Only U can deliver first Hong Kong winner with Purton aboard

By Paul Ryding

Brett Crawford believes he can get off the mark in Hong Kong at Sha Tin on Sunday (14 September) when he prepares his second runner in the city, with champion jockey Zac Purton in the saddle.

Top weight Only U (135lb) represents the South African handler’s sole entry at the meeting in the first section of the Class 5 Hong Tung Handicap (1400m), but Crawford is encouraged by the six-year-old’s solid recent form and the fact that the famously studious Purton thought enough of the horse’s chances to reach out and request the ride.

“He’s in great form; he’s come out of a trial well, his work at home has been good,” Crawford said.

“Lucky for me, Zac actually phoned a while back for the horse. So he obviously feels that, with the horse dropping into Class 5 – even with top weight – he should be competitive, so it’s always good to have Zac on.”

Crawford came within half a length of making a dream start to his Hong Kong career when Speedy Smartie narrowly went down to You’remyeverything in the opening race of the season, the Class 5 Grassy Hill Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin last Sunday (7 September).

Only U, who moved to Crawford’s nascent yard upon the retirement of former handler Benno Yung, went winless last term but raced consistently and was placed in three of his last four runs. He drops into Class 5 company for the second time, having competed at that level once last season, finishing second over course and distance with Purton in the plate.

“The barrier gate is our hardest challenge, coming from gate 12. But looking at the field, I think the opposition are all drawn pretty much around us,” Crawford said. “I think, on his work, he should run a good race.”

The 54-year-old Crawford arrived in Hong Kong during the off-season with a reputation as a big-race trainer, with a total of 29 Group 1 wins on his glittering CV, including two G1 Durban July (2200m) triumphs in South Africa.

Sunday’s opening race sees David Hayes link up with Brenton Avdulla for the first time this season when Night Purosangue (135lb) tackles the second section of Class 5 Hong Tung Handicap (1400m).

The duo teamed up for six of Hayes’ 61 wins last term, when the Australian finished second to John Size in the trainers’ championship.

After an indifferent first season in Hong Kong, Night Purosangue drops into Class 5 for the first time, but Hayes is confident the four-year-old is now ready to make his mark.

“He was a bit disappointing last year,” Hayes said. “But he’s a big, strong horse that looks like he’s acclimatised now.”

It will be a day of firsts for the Irish-bred gelding as he stretches to 1400 metres for the first time, in unfamiliar Class 5 company with a new rider on board.

“He might be a horse to follow when he gets out over a bit more ground. (Avdulla) has done some work on him and thinks he’ll be strong late,” Hayes said. “I’ve seen a lot of Class 5s winning with that weight (135lb) with the drop (in class), especially when they’re big and strong like him.”

Avdulla also partners dirt specialist Must Go in the Class 3 Oi Tung Handicap (1200m) on the All Weather.

The 34-year-old, who is already on two wins for the season, has tasted success aboard the Size-trained dirt specialist on two previous occasions.

“(Must Go) had a really good last season, and he obviously performed very well on the dirt,” Avdulla said. “He had a run first up the other day in a strong race and was just probably found wanting a little bit late. But this is the right race for him on the back-up, and I’d expect him to improve.

“He’s at the mark now where it gets pretty tough for him – he’s carrying big weights now in this sort of level. But he performs best on the All Weather and Class 3 seems to be his level,” Avdulla added.

Sunday’s (14 September) 10-race fixture at Sha Tin kicks off at 1pm with the second section of the Class 5 Hong Tung Handicap (1400m).