Hong Kong: Kuparny, Duke Wai clash again in Class 1 at Sha Tin

Kurpany and Duke Wai were first and third, separated by 1 3/4 lengths, in a six-furlong handicap on the infield all-weather track at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on Jan. 30.

The margin may have been closer if Duke Wai had not had a wide trip in his first start on the surface.

Since then, Kurpany is unraced, while Duke Wai was third and ninth in six-furlong handicaps on turf, plagued by trouble in both starts.

They meet for the second time on Sha Tin's all-weather course in Wednesday’s $402,350 Silvermine Bay Handicap at six furlongs. The race is rated as a Class 1 handicap, a level below stakes competition in Hong Kong.

The Silvermine Bay Handicap is restricted to horses with official ratings between 85 to 110 points. Kurpany is rated at 110 and was assigned top weight of 133 pounds. The booking of apprentice jockey Alfred Chan reduces the assignment to 128, still five pounds higher than Duke Wai, who is second in the weights.

:: Hong Kong: Free PPs, picks, analysis, replays, and live streaming

Kurpany tends to run near the front, and is well drawn in post 5 in a field of nine. Duke Wai, who races from off the pace, will start from post 2 and will be ridden by Matthew Chadwick, who has been aboard for the 6-year-old gelding’s last three starts.

Kurpany and Duke Wai will be challenged by Majestic Star and Master Montaro.

The race will be a class test for the stalker Majestic Star, who has won his last two races, in a Class 3 handicap on the all-weather surface on Jan. 30 and a Class 2 handicap on turf at Happy Valley on Feb. 23.

The race is unlikely to have a strong favorite. There will be support for Master Montaro, who has yet to start on the all-weather surface. Master Montaro was a troubled fifth by 1 1/4 lengths in a Class 2 handicap at seven furlongs on turf at Sha Tin on March 12.

The popular jockey Joao Moreira, currently second in the Hong Kong standings, takes the mount on Master Montaro, which will ensure betting action.

Sha Tin has an eight-race program on Wednesday beginning at 7:15 a.m. Eastern or 4:15 a.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.