Exultant returns in Sa Sa Ladies Purse

The Group 3, $414,721 Sa Sa Ladies Purse on Sunday at Sha Tin should offer plenty of clues toward the Hong Kong International Races next month.

Among 11 entrants are Exultant, who won the Hong Kong Vase on the International card in 2019; Time Warp, who captured the Hong Kong Cup in 2017; and Furore, who won the Hong Kong Derby and Hong Kong Classic Mile last season, two thirds of the Four-year-old Classic Series. Dark Dream, who also ran well last racing season in the Four-year-old Classic Series, and Singapore Sling add depth to a field that’s strong for the class level.

The 1,800-meter Sa Sa Ladies purse is contested under handicap conditions and Exultant, making his first start since May 26, when he won the Group 2 Standard Chartered Champions and Chater Cup, must shoulder top weight of 133 pounds. Exultant’s best races have come at distances between 2,000 and 2,400 meters and Sunday’s test probably is intended as much as anything to shake off rust before Exultant is stretched out to a more suitable trip at a higher class level.

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Six-year-old Time Warp couldn’t come close last season to reproducing his best form from the previous year, winning only once during a busy campaign.

Furore has made one start this season, finishing a one-paced fifth Oct. 1 in a Group 3 over 1,400-meters, a trip considerably short of his best. His Frankie Lor-trained stable-mate and fellow 4-year-old Dark Dream starts for the first time since he stepped outside age-restricted competition and finished third behind Exultant in the Standard Chartered Champions and Chater Cup.

With the comeback race under his belt, a move to a better distance, and a relatively feathery 113-pound impost, Furore seems like a logical winner at what ought to be a fair price.

The Sunday feature goes race 7 of 10 with post time set for 3:20 a.m. Eastern.