Bundle of Joy Bests Big Names at Sha Tin

As often is the case in early-season handicaps, the lighter weights can take it to their more-accomplished rivals with greater imposts. And so it proved Wednesday at Sha Tin, as G1 Al Quoz Sprint winner Amber Sky (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) and G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen hero Sterling City (Aus) (Nadeem {Aus}) were relative no-shows in the National Day Cup H. A consistent sort, Bundle of Joy (Aus) (Magic Albert {Aus}) partnered with Joao Moreira in his last seven trips to the post, including a two-length victory against Class 2 foes at Happy Valley in May before narrowly missing behind Peniaphobia over track and trip the next month. The chestnut validated 9-5 favoritism when back in against Class 2 rivals up the 1000-meter straight Sept. 14 and firmed late in the wagering to be off as the fourth choice. Drawn three for this first crack at stakes company, Bundle of Joy jumped well, but was forced to sit third as stablemate and previously unbeaten Rad (Aus) (Foreplay {Aus}) set the early pace from 13-10 chalk Amber Sky. Moreira got after the favorite with a little more than a furlong to race, but Bundle of Joy had his measure and kicked away late while racing on his incorrect lead. Peniaphobia (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) split horses for second, while Sterling City was short of room at a crucial stage, losing all chance in sixth. “Bundle Of Joy is going to step into the big league now,” winning trainer David Hall commented. “Winning with 113 pounds and then going against those horses at set weights is another big hurdle for linehim, but that’s where we have to go,” he added. Click for the HKJC.com chart. VIDEO. 

NATIONAL DAY CUP H., HK$2,750,000 (US$354,160), Sha Tin, 10-1, 3yo/up, 1000mT, :55.38, gd/fm. 
1–#BUNDLE OF JOY (AUS), 113, g, 5, Magic Albert (Aus)–Lady Starstruck (Aus), by Mr Henrysee. (A$36,000 yrl ‘11 INGSCO). O-Mr & Mrs Colin Lo Chor Cheong; B-Miss J Henderson; T-D J Hall; J-C Ho; HK$1,567,500. Lifetime Record: 16-6-4-3, HK$6,200,000. 
2–Peniaphobia (Ire), 114, g, 3, Dandy Man (Ire)–Umlani (Ire), by Great Commotion. (€11,000 wnlg ‘11 GOFNOV; £20,000 yrl ‘13 DONAUG). O-Huang Kai Wen. HK$605,000. 
3–Super Jockey (NZ), 113, g, 6, Sandtrap–Pennies In Heaven (NZ), by Pompeii Court. O-Tony Lau Yiu Tong & Thomas Lau Sum Fai. HK$316,250. 
Margins: 2, NO, 1 1/4. Odds: 7-1, 10-1, 6-1. 
Also Ran: Amber Sky (Aus), Charles the Great (Ire), Sterling City (Aus), Bullish Friend (Aus), Go Baby Go (Aus), Rad (Aus).