Horsesain Bolt eligible to improve in Russell Handicap

Aside from his humorous name, Horsesain Bolt is a gelding with considerable ability.

Third in his Hong Kong debut on Jan. 11 at Sha Tin Racecourse, Horsesain Bolt will start at Happy Valley Racecourse for the first time in Wednesday’s $186,699 Russell Handicap at about a mile and 50 yards. Horsesain Bolt, trained by first-year trainer Doug Whyte, is part of a full field of 12 and will be ridden by Karis Teetan. Whyte is the all-time leading rider in Hong Kong who retired in early 2019.

Horsesain Bolt has won 2 of 6 starts. Racing in Ireland in 2018 and last year, the gelding won twice in races at a mile at Dundalk and the Curragh under the name Karasi. Horses frequently have their names changed when they are sent to Hong Kong.

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On Jan. 11, Horsesain Bolt closed through the final furlong of a seven-furlong handicap to finish a length behind Super Star.

In the Russell Handicap, Horsesain Bolt’s main rivals are Bear Again, who was third in a similar race at Happy Valley on Jan. 15 as the 9-5 favorite; Naboo Star, who is racing against tougher competition after a recent win and second; and Magnificent, who will carry topweight of 132 pounds.

Horsesain Bolt has been assigned 126 pounds, one less than Bear Again and 11 more than Naboo Star.

Magnificent will be ridden by Zac Purton who was aboard the 5-year-old gelding for a comfortable win by 2 3/4 lengths in a race at this distance against similar rivals at Happy Valley on Dec. 26.

Bear Again, who may set the pace, will be ridden for the first time by leading jockey Joao Moreira. Bear Again led throughout a handicap at a mile and 50 yards at Happy Valley on Dec. 18, prevailing by four lengths under jockey Alexis Badel.