By Alan Carasso
It's been just 15 months since Mr Stunning (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) turned in an impossible performance to break his maiden on his debut at Happy Valley, but the 4-year-old gelding can stake his claim as the best sprinter in Hong Kong in Sunday's G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize.
Following the breathtaking win of Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) in last year's race, the 2017 is strictly a domestic affair, but has attracted the best short-trackers in the jurisdiction with the notable absence of Aerovelocity (NZ) (Pins {Aus}), who was scratched lame and now enters retirement. Mr Stunning enters this first Group 1 foray with seven wins from his 10 career appearances four from his last five, including a two-length score over Not Listenin'tome (Aus) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) in a Class 1 up the 1000m straight course Mar. 5 ahead of a slashing defeat of Peniaphobia (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) and many of Sunday's rivals in the G2 Sprint Cup over track and trip Apr. 9.
“It's probably a similar test to the last one for Mr Stunning, he had a lot of luck, it was a very lucky race for him and he was able to capitalise on that,” trainer John Size commented. “That's probably his best run of his career and whether he can repeat that is up to him.”
Peniaphobia returned a shocking 8-1 to his backers when besting Lucky Bubbles (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) in the G2 Centenary Sprint Cup back in January and he can have a big say in the outcome Sunday as the potential controlling speed.
“He looks really well. He's such an honest horse, he'll be out there running his race again,” trainer Tony Cruz reported.
Lucky Bubbles did everything right in last year's Chairman's Sprint Prize, only to be run over late by Chautauqua. That effort set him up to assume the mantle of the best local sprinter, but it's been a frustrating season for the likable chestnut, with just a victory over Amazing Kids (NZ) (Falkirk {NZ}) in the G2 Premier Bowl H. from five starts. In an effort to shake things up, Hugh Bowman takes over from Brett Prebble for trainer Francis Lui.
“I won't know until tomorrow if he is on song, but I've done everything I can to get him back to his winning ways. He deserves a Group 1 win,” the conditioner offered.
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