Seasons Bloom getting class break in Chinese Club Challenge Cup

Nearly two years have passed since Seasons Bloom won a Group 1 race in Hong Kong, in the Stewards Cup at a mile at Sha Tin in late January 2018.

Seasons Bloom is winless in six subsequent starts in Group 1 races, including a ninth in the Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on Dec. 8. A lesser race, such as Wednesday’s Group 3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup at seven furlongs at Sha Tin, seems a better fit for the 7-year-old gelding.

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Seasons Bloom, who will be ridden by Zac Purton, tends to run as a closer and should get a favorable trip in the Chinese Club Challenge Cup. Runners such as Ka Ying Star (129 pounds) and Encouraging (121) have sufficient speed to set the pace. Ka Ying Star was ninth in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on Dec. 8, setting the pace into the stretch.

The dangerous runners in the field of eight may be the improving Australia-breds Fat Turtle (117) and Golden Sixty (114). The Chinese Club Challenge Cup is the group stakes debut for both runners.

Fat Turtle has won two of his last three starts, all in six-furlong handicaps at Sha Tin since early October.

Golden Sixty has been even sharper for trainer Francis Liu, winning six of his first seven starts since the start of his career in March. Golden Sixty has won his last three starts, including two seven-furlong handicaps at Sha tin in October and November.