Sagacious Life ready for Hong Kong Classic Cup challenge

By Declan Schuster

Trainer Pierre Ng believes Sagacious Life’s proven stamina will play a decisive role across the remaining legs of the three-race Four-Year-Old Classic Series, with Sunday’s (1 March) HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) at Sha Tin preceding the HK$26 million 149th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 22 March.

Sagacious Life is a Group 1 winner over 2400m pre-import. He struck twice at Class 2 level in Hong Kong over 1600m before his difficult fourth-place finish in last month’s HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) behind Little Paradise, who dashed quickly to secure success by an easy two lengths after overcoming trouble in the home straight.

Ng said: “He’s fit, healthy and ready. He’s tracking in the right direction, especially as a stayer, and I think he will be really good one day as he does go better over further.

“It was a very tough run from the wide draw (13) last start. Once he got cover, he was already travelling around the bend and then he had to roll out and pick up momentum again. Zac Purton did perfectly on him, but he was too rushed and that was his first time being drawn outside. He still ran well, but I’m looking forward to the extra 200 metres.”

Sagacious Life hadn’t faced a barrier worse than sixth in his initial three outings before his last start. The chestnut trialled in preparation over 1200m on Sha Tin’s dirt last Friday (20 February) in 1m 10.05s under leading rider Purton, who retains the mount.

“He had a nice trial the other day. He doesn’t seem too fresh, which is good as he extends in distance. Zac Purton is on and he was happy with his trial,” Ng said. “But to participate in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series with the owner, well, we didn’t think of it at first, but as we’ve gone along, we have a chance and now we’re really enjoying it.”

Little Paradise, Infinite Resolve and Beauty Bolt reoppose Sagacious Life in Sunday’s Hong Kong Classic Cup as part of an 11-race programme which also features the HK$13 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) – the Triple Crown’s middle leg.

Romantic Warrior, Voyage Bubble, My Wish, Ensued, Beauty Joy and Winning Wing are entered for the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup.