Super Oasis likely to go favored in Chai Wan Kok Handicap

Super Oasis may be on the verge of a notable campaign in Hong Kong this winter.

Last January and February, Super Oasis was a two-time Group 2 winner in New Zealand and later third in the Group 1 Australian Derby when racing under the name Surely Sacred. Now trained by Frankie Lor, Super Oasis was fifth in his Hong Kong debut at Sha Tin Racecourse on Dec. 8, finishing with interest.

The performance will make Super Oasis a likely favorite in Thursday’s $269,752 Chai Wan Kok Handicap at about a mile on turf at Happy Valley Racecourse.

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Super Oasis is not the only recent arrival from Hong Kong who rates as a top contender in the Chai Wan Kok Handicap. The race will be the Hong Kong debut of Private Secretary, who won the Cocked Hot Stakes at about 1 3/8 miles on turf for 3-year-olds at Goodwood Racecourse in England last May and was later fourth in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. The Hulk, a stakes winner in New Zealand in December 2018, will have his fifth start in Hong Kong and appears to be rounding into form.

Super Oasis, who will be ridden by Zac Purton, has won 3 of 9 starts. In the Dec. 8 race at a mile, Super Oasis was always near the front and was beaten two lengths by More Than This, who was sent off favored and has won four consecutive starts.

In New Zealand, Super Oasis won the Group 2 Auckland Guineas at a mile and the Group 2 Avondale Guineas at 1 3/8 miles.

Private Secretary, now trained by Tony Cruz, has won 3 of 6 starts. In the King Edward VII Stakes at 1 1/2 miles, Private Secretary was beaten seven lengths by Japan who later won the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp in July and the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York Racecourse in August before finishing fourth in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October.

Thursday’s distance will be a test for Private Secretary, considering his three wins have been at 1 3/8 miles to 1 1/4 miles.

The Hulk, formerly known as Spirits Aubeer when he raced in New Zealand, won the Bonecrusher Stakes in New Zealand in December 2018, a race in which Super Oasis was second by 2 1/4 lengths. In Hong Kong, The Hulk is winless in four starts, but was a game second in a minor handicap at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Happy Valley on Dec. 4, leading to the final strides before missing by a short head. Leading rider Joao Moreira has the mount on Thursday.