Exultant continues Hong Kong adventure in Long Ke Handicap
Earlier this year, Irishcorrespondent finished third in the Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas in May and fifth in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot in England in June.
Within a month of that race, Irishcorrespondent had been sold privately to race in Hong Kong.
Saturday, the colt now known as Exultant tries to win for the first time in Hong Kong in the $237,915 Long Ke Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Sha Tin Racecourse. Horses frequently have their names changed when they begin racing in Hong Kong.
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Exultant will have his third start in Hong Kong on Saturday, having finished fifth in his debut there in a handicap at seven furlongs on Nov. 11 and second in a one-mile handicap on Nov. 26. In the latter race, Exultant was crowded at the start and trailed by more than seven lengths early.
Trained by Tony Cruz, Exultant was beaten seven lengths in the Hampton Court Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf, his only previous start at the distance. Saturday’s race will be Exultant’s seventh start.
Zac Purton will ride Exultant, who will carry 124 pounds, nine less than topweight Harbour Master, who will have his 55th start on Saturday. A 7-year-old gelding, Harbour Master is winless in nine starts since a handicap win at Happy Valley Racecourse on Jan. 4. The Long Ke Handicap represents a drop in class for Harbour Master, who was sixth in the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Sha Tin on Nov. 19.
There should be ample support for Dinozzo, who will carry 131 pounds. Dinozzo was a fast-closing second in a handicap at 1 1/8 miles at Happy Valley on Dec. 6. A threat from off the pace, Dinozzo won a handicap at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Sha Tin on Nov. 19.
The Long Ke Handicap is the eighth race on a nine-race program that begins at midnight Eastern on Saturday or 9 p.m. Pacific on Friday.