Racehorse TALK

Buccellati - heading to the Vase.

HONG KONG DATE FOR BUCCELLATIBuccellati Profile
A M Balding Profile

Buccellati is soon to be on his travels again to contest the Hong Kong Vase.

Andrew Balding's charge was sixth in the Sha Tin feature last year and finished third behind Champs Elysees and Jukebox Jury at Woodbine on his latest start.

"He ran well in Canada where the ground had dried up a lot and was probably a bit too quick for him him. He's been invited to Hong Kong for the Vase and that's where he'll head the second week in December," Balding confirmed.

"He was sixth last year and I think he's improved since then. He hasn't had as arduous a campaign either but it's going to be a stronger race than last year.

"He's in pretty good shape and seems to enjoy the travelling, he takes it all in his stride."

When questioned, D Beadman stated that he was instructed to have ELEGANCE DESIRE, which was having its first start in Hong Kong tonight, racing where it was comfortable, however, it was hoped that the horse would show good gate speed and would be able to take up a forward position. He said ELEGANCE DESIRE was fractious in the barriers and as the start was effected began awkwardly and then knuckled when steadied away from the heels of SOU MA TAM. He added after this he shifted ELEGANCE DESIRE into a position close to the fence, however, making the first turn the horse got its head on the side and hung out badly. He did say in its track work ELEGANCE DESIRE had also hung out rounding turns. He said along the Back Straight ELEGANCE DESIRE raced tractably and he was able to shift the horse across to a position closer to the fence, however, making the turn at the 600 Metres ELEGANCE DESIRE shifted out away from MALAYAN BRIGHT when that horse was checked and commenced to hang out badly. He said ELEGANCE DESIRE continued to hang out rounding the Home Turn and became quite unbalanced. He said in the early part of the Straight he balanced the horse up and then commenced to ride it along. He stated after initially riding the horse hands and heels, he pulled the whip passing the 200 Metres and the horse responded well to his riding and closed off the race strongly. D Beadman added that following the race he advised Mr J Moore, trainer of ELEGANCE DESIRE, that, in his opinion, the horse would be better suited at Sha Tin and over a distance of longer than the 1200 Metres of tonight’s race.

RACE 7(209)

Class 3 - 1200 Metres - (080-060) CHAK ON HANDICAP HK$ 850,000.00  56k  Broadband

Certainly worth blackbooking.