JUBILANT STAR

On 24/4, in a 1200m dirt trial (running pattern: 6-3-3), Lassie gradually moved out, holding third. Three weeks ago, in a 1200m Sha Tin turf race, his performance was poor; he was slow out of the barrier and ran towards the back with an even pace throughout, only regaining some ground in the final stretch. His trial showed slight improvement. Having tried 1400m on Sha Tin turf, this debut effort over the distance showed acceptable times, and his closing speed against rivals was the strongest in the group. He is rated highly for this race, with the horse and jockey/trainer setup being well-coordinated. His recent form is not bad, but as he needs to carry an extra three pounds this time and has slightly unfavorable draw/conditions, he remains a candidate to watch.