Size banking on light weight and Kingscote magic to overcome Red Lion's tricky draw

By Paul Ryding

John Size says the generous handicap that Red Lion will receive and the services of “perfect” partner Richard Kingscote might be enough to overcome a tricky draw in the HK$5.35 million G2 Sha Tin Trophy (1600m).

In a race expected to be run at a strong clip, drawing gate 13 might have scuppered the chances of his Group 1-winning galloper in Sunday’s (19 October) feature. But the consistent six-year-old will bear just 119lb – the lightest impost he’s carried in almost 22 months – and Size says he’s seen some improvement over the off-season.

“The handicap’s going to help him out a little bit,” Size said. “He’s a little bit one-paced, Red Lion. I’m not sure if he can get up in a close enough position to whack away and win a race at 1400 (metres). But at 1600 – now that he’s a more mature horse – he’s probably got some more advantage.

“He’s had a few trials, he’s done a bit of work and he’s in good enough shape to go to the races. He’ll give a good account of himself.”

A leading light in Size’s stable, Red Lion makes his seasonal reappearance on Sunday following a campaign highlighted by a sensational win at 89/1 in the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m).

The seventh-best horse in the jurisdiction on current ratings (118), Red Lion will once again have to overhaul Voyage Bubble (135lb) – as he did by a lip in the FWD Champions Mile – if he is to taste Group success for a second time.

Size’s yard will also be represented by Beauty Eternal (115lb), who will be ridden by Matthew Chadwick, and Ensued (115lb), who will have Andrea Atzeni in the saddle.

With first call Hugh Bowman unable to make the 119lb weight limit imposed on Red Lion by the handicapper, Size has turned to lightweight rider Kingscote, who rode four winners in an impressive six-week stint at Sha Tin towards the end of last season.

“He seemed to be the perfect fit, Richard Kingscote,” Size said. “Obviously, everybody wants to try and help the new riders when they come in … So I’m very happy that he can ride the 119 (pounds) and ride a nice horse.

“He hasn’t (had the chance to sit on the horse), but this is a very experienced jockey and this is a very experienced horse, so they won’t have a problem.”

Kingscote enjoyed a dream summer in his native Britain before departing for Hong Kong on a six-month contract. The 39-year-old collected two Group 1 wins in a magical 40-day period, one of which was the longest-priced winner of a feature race in Britain since 1822, with pacemaking 150/1 chance Qirat outlasting the field in the Sussex Stakes (1600m). But he remains winless after 56 rides this season and is thankful for the opportunity to partner a Group 1 winner.

“Obviously it’s great that Mr Size has thrown me on a nice horse, and I’m very grateful and looking forward to it,” Kingscote said.

“Frustratingly, I’ve not had a winner here yet this term, but, obviously, it finished very well for me when I was here last time. It’s nice to be put on (Red Lion), for sure.”

Sunday’s (19 October) 10-race fixture at Sha Tin starts at 12.45pm with the Class 5 Shek Mun Handicap (1400m).