Hong Kong: Righteous Doctrine finally has found his mojo
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Righteous Doctrine lost his first 15 Hong Kong starts after being imported from France following a 2018 campaign, but midway through this Hong Kong racing season, something clicked for this 5-year-old gelding.
Righteous Doctrine, following those 15 defeats, has won three of his last four starts, two times on the dirt track at Sha Tin and last out over that racecourse’s turf track. Two starts ago, he finished third in a Class 2 handicap at Happy Valley and on Wednesday night will try to win the featured seventh race there. The Wednesday headliner is a Class 2 for horses rated 100-80, and it’s carded at 1,800 meters, which appears to be Righteous Doctrine’s trip.
Righteous Doctrine is by the hot sire Siyouni and was a useful horse in France, where he was called Infernal Majesty, before being sent to Hong Kong. Trainer Michael Chang began outfitting him with a crossed noseband earlier this season, and perhaps that helped Righteous Doctrine turn a corner, but whatever the spur, Righteous Doctrine has gotten really good.
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His third-place finish two back at Happy Valley came with a trip far from ideal. Righteous Doctrine was locked in along the fence as the top two began steaming home with full momentum, and once clear, Righteous Doctrine kicked with good energy. His win last out at Sha Tin was even better than it looks on paper, as jockey Karis Teetan, Righteous Doctrine winding up underneath him, had to steady in midstretch and go to the far outside with a belated bid. Righteous Doctrine still managed to get up by a nose over favored Super Oasis. Wednesday, he’ll have Chad Schofield in the irons and break from post 9 while carrying a manageable 123 pounds.
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Super Oasis also shows up in this spot, weighted at 129, one lower than tri topweights Butterfield, Helene Charisma, and Insayshable.
First post for the card is 6:45 a.m. Eastern, with the feature scheduled for 9:45. Live video and wagering is available at DRFBets.com.
◗ Ka Ying Star came out on top of a blanket finish with Southern Legend and Fast Most Furious to win the Group 3 Lion Rock Trophy on Sunday at Sha Tin. Ka Ying Star led from the start and just held on over Southern Legend, who carried top weight of 133 pounds, four more than Ka Ying Star. Lightly raced 3-year-old General’s Delight, who toted a feathery 113, finished a solid fourth in this 1,600-meter contest.