Karis Teetan sides with Star Mac to keep lifting his game

By Declan Schuster

Karis Teetan believes Star Mac can measure up in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) this Sunday (4 February) at Sha Tin.

The lowest rated runner in the race on 64 and without a win from four starts in Hong Kong, Star Mac has the joint-least experience among the entries, however, continues to showcase an electrifying late burst which has returned two fast-finishing third placings in Class 3.

“I am really happy to be riding him. I think he’s an improving horse, I think he is improving with each run – it’s not a big field,” Teetan said.

Helios Express tops the entries on a towering mark of 102, while the rest rate 74 or above in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, the first leg of the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series which also features the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on 3 March and HK$26 million 147th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 24 March.

“I think he’s one of those who can surprise. The race is wide open if you take out Helios Express. He’s happy wearing cheek pieces and I am happy to be on him,” Teetan said.

Star Mac won once in Australia pre-import, scoring at Seymour over 1400m as a two-year-old. He’s now trained by David Hayes in Hong Kong, who won Sunday’s contest in 1999 with Resfa and in 2001 with Charming City.

Teetan takes eight rides out of a possible nine at Happy Valley tomorrow night (Wednesday, 31 January), including Snowalot from draw 11 in the Class 4 Luard Handicap (1650m).

“I think the draw makes it a bit tough for him but I think if he gets a good run and a bit luck that he will always finish well.

“We just need some speed in the race and to get him where he is comfortable. He’s not a horse who you can jump and leave him anywhere, you need him to be where he is comfortable. Let’s hope he can fly home,” Teetan said.

Teetan’s partnership with Hayes will extend to riding Tomodachi Kokoroe in the second section of the Class 3 Lockhart Handicap (1200m) from the widest of 12 barriers.

“He’s been running really well and I thought the way the race panned out last start for him that he still ran pretty well. It’s going to make it tough from the draw,” Teetan said.

Tomorrow night’s feature race is the Class 4 Hong Kong Football Club Centenary Cup Handicap (1000m).

The Mauritian has 40 wins this campaign and hops aboard La City Blanche again in Sunday’s HK$4.2 million G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin.

“He ran well last start. He likes Happy Valley and I thought the winner got the first run on me – I was finishing off very strongly.

“I think the horse is in good shape. He’s been running well and if he gets a good run on the weekend, with that weight on his back, then he’s going to be competitive,” Teetan said.

Wednesday’s (31 January) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley commences at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Fenwick Handicap (2200m).