Fresh Face in the Sha Tin Vase

Without a doubt, the star of the show in the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize three weeks ago was Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}), who stormed down the center of the track for a breathtaking victory. Equally difficult to dispute is the fact that Amazing Kids (NZ) (Falkirk {NZ}) was the unluckiest runner in the race, and with clear sailing, could have gone much closer than his 2 1/2 lengths' fifth. One of a number of exciting 4-year-old sprinters on the grounds, the bay gelding will get a shot at redemption in Sunday's Sha Tin Vase H.

Since beginning the current season on a domestic rating of 81, Amazing Kids has annexed three of his seven appearances and now sits on 121. Conqueror of Chairman's Sprint Prize runner-up Lucky Bubbles (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) in a Class 2 Feb. 14, he was soundly defeated into second by that rival in the Sprint Cup Apr. 3, but was held up at the 300m in the Chairman's and rallied belatedly. Joao Moreira takes over in the irons.

“His run was sound, he had no luck approaching the turn or in the straight but he finished off, at some point he ran pretty quickly up the straight, like a good horse that should have finished closer,” said trainer John Size.

Divine Boy (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) was sent off at triple-digit odds in the Chairman's and had only Chautauqua behind him at the top of the lane before finishing off decently to be seventh, beaten just over four lengths. He'll be having his 13th run of the season Sunday, but he'll get back in the run under Chad Schofield behind what projects to be a strong pace and has no weight on his back under the handicap conditions.

Not Listenin'tome (Aus) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) and reigning G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint hero Peniaphobia (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) carry 133 and 130 pounds, respectively, but the former seems a much better horse over the straight 1000m course, while the latter could well be over the top after some tough efforts earlier in the year.

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