Star sprinter Sacred Kingdom back to his best
Report: Hong Kong, Friday
Sha Tin: Sha Tin Sprint Trophy (Group 3) 5f, 3yo+, turf
SACRED KINGDOM threw down the gauntlet to those eyeing his crown with a dominant success in the Sha Tin Sprint Trophy, confirming he is very much back to his best after the attack of colic in March that nearly claimed his life.
Making his first start for over eight months and consideredonly 85 per cent by jockey Brett Prebble, Hong Kong's reigning Horse of the Year had little trouble conceding upwards of 8lb as he scored by a length and a quarter from speedy mare Sweet Sanette, who was sent off the 7-5 favourite.
Somewhat surprisingly, Sacred Kingdom drifted to a starting price of 9-4 by the time the gates opened.
Take out the fifth-placed One World who was a little below par on his seasonal debut, the champion had to account for a field of decent handicappers and it will be a long time before those odds are seen again.
He will now tread a familiar path towards what trainer Ricky Yiu hopes will be a third Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint title in four years.
"His next start will be in the Sprint Trial next month and that's a race that will suit him even better at hisbest distance of 1200 metres [six furlongs] at set weights," Yiu said.
"But I am really pleased with how he returned today. There is hopefully more to come and I am delighted for the horse and everyone involved because it's been a story in getting him back."
Yiu left the track in especially buoyant mood after recording a treble on the day when Charmgold (Alex Lai) and Amityship (Ben So) won lesser events. He then jetted off to Japan to saddle Ultra Fantasy in the Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama on Sunday.
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