Speedy Longwah, Packing Largegyb tote high weight in Cymbidium Handicap
Speedy Longwah was found to have an irregular heartbeat after a last-place finish in a minor handicap at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong in late November. The condition has been successfully treated. In three subsequent starts, Speedy Longwah has returned to win, finish third, and finish a troubled sixth in his last start.
On Sunday at Sha Tin, Speedy Longwah is a 131-pound joint topweight in the $225,376 Cymbidium Handicap at about a mile on the all-weather track. The race will be a new test for Speedy Longwah, his first start on the surface in his 23rd start.
Speedy Longwah was beaten 1 3/4 lengths in a turf handicap at Happy Valley on Feb. 15 but raced in traffic for part of the race. He emerged from the race with a cut on a leg.
A 6-year-old gelding, Speedy Longwah has raced in Hong Kong throughout his career, which includes five wins. He is part of a field of 14 in Sunday’s race.
Packing Largegyb will also carry 131 pounds and will be ridden by leading rider Joao Moreira, who won a record eight races on an 11-race card at Sha Tin last Sunday. Packing Largegyb has been second in two career starts on the all-weather surface at Sha Tin.
Hit the Bid, who carries 122 pounds, has won three times on the surface, including a handicap against a lower class of runners on March 1, his first win in seven starts in the current Hong Kong season, which began in September.
Sky King, who will carry 119 pounds, and California Joy, at 118 pounds, have run well in recent starts.
Sky King has won his last two starts on the all-weather surface, in January and on March 1, against a lower class of runners. California Joy, who could set the pace, will have his first start on the all-weather on Sunday. He was beaten a short head as the favorite in a turf race at Happy Valley Racecourse on Feb. 2.