What Else But You seeks fourth straight win in Hong Kong

What Else But You has been in the best form of his career the last two months, winning three consecutive races at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong. With the success comes tougher assignments.

On Wednesday at Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong, What Else But You starts in the $225,233 Lion City Handicap at about a mile on turf, racing against the best field he has faced in his Hong Kong career.

The Lion City Handicap is restricted to horses with handicap ratings of 80 to 105. What Else But You has risen steadily in the ratings in recent months, from a rating of 72 when he made his debut in Hong Kong in January to his current mark of 86.

Trained by John Size, What Else But You has won three races at seven furlongs at Sha Tin during the winning streak. He was third in a race at about a mile on turf at Happy Valley in January in his first start on the circuit. A 4-year-old Australian-bred gelding, What Else But You won twice in Australia last July when racing as Eminent Knight. Horses frequently have their names changed when they are transferred to Hong Kong.

What Else But You will be ridden Wednesday by Karis Teetan, who has been aboard for all five of the gelding’s Hong Kong starts. What Else But You, who will carry 118 pounds, typically races from just off the pace. He won a handicap for horses rated 80 to 100 on March 26 by three-quarters of a length after stalking the pace for the first six furlongs.

The Lion City Handicap drew a field of 12 and is the last of eight races on the Happy Valley program.

Jolly Banner, who will carry topweight of 133 pounds, has won three of six starts during the current Hong Kong season that began in September, but is winless in his last three starts. He was a game third in a seven-furlong handicap at Sha Tin on April 2.

Twin Delight, who will carry 128 pounds, and Winner’s Way, assigned 127, have leading chances. Twin Delight is taking a drop in class, having raced in graded stakes on one occasion earlier this year. Winner’s Way was second to What Else But You on March 26, closing from off the pace after a poor start. Winner’s Way frequently races near the front.

There is one import from Europe in Smart Dragon, a 4-year-old colt who previously raced in Italy and France as Caribbean Blue. Last summer, Caribbean Blue was second in two minor stakes in France – the Prix Pelleas at Clairefontaine and La Coupe de Marseille at Cagnes-Sur-Mer. Smart Dragon has been assigned 113 pounds.