My Darling hopes to start streak with Reunification Cup victory

My Darling, a 4-year-old Australian-bred gelding, ended a four-race losing streak with a comfortable win in the Viva Pataca Handicap at seven furlongs on turf at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on May 28.

The win may be the start of a new streak. My Darling will carry topweight of 133 pounds in Saturday’s $224,195 Hong Kong Reunification Cup at Sha Tin, which is run at seven furlongs on turf.

My Darling will be ridden by leading rider Joao Moreira for leading trainer John Size. They have been a potent team in Hong Kong this year, winning at a 23 percent clip.

The Hong Kong Reunification Cup is the seventh race on a 10-race program. Wagering is available at DRFBets.com.

My Darling, who has won 5 of 12 starts in his career, typically races from just off the pace. In the Viva Pataca Handicap, My Darling was always within a length of the lead and won by 1 3/4 lengths over Hang’s Decision, who is part of Saturday’s field and will carry 114 pounds.

My Darling was assigned topweight along with Line Seeker, but that 5-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding will be ridden by apprentice jockey Matt Poon, who claims 10 pounds. Poon has 19 wins this season and ranks 14th in the standings. Moreira has won 166 races, and could surpass his record total of 168 wins from the 2015-16 season Saturday.

Limitless, a 4-year-old Irish-bred gelding, will be a threat from the back. Limitless, who will carry 130 pounds, was second in a seven-furlong handicap at Sha Tin on June 11, his first start for trainer Caspar Fownes. Limitless is winless in his last four starts, since a seven-furlong handicap at Sha Tin on Feb. 19.
In England last year, Limitless raced under the name Defrocked and won the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot. Horses frequently have their names changed when they are transferred to Hong Kong.