Douglas Whyte is hoping an entry for Shanwah in subsequent month’s Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) is not going to look speculative after he tackles Sunday’s Class Two 1,600m Turf Handicap at Sha Tin.
The Too Darn Scorching galloper was a really sensible recruit for the Whyte secure from Australia, the place he gained a pair of Group Two races for Ciaron Maher – the Caulfield Autumn Basic (1,800m) and the Alister Clark Stakes (2,040m) at Moonee Valley.
He made his native debut three weeks in the past, ending eleventh within the Class Two Santa Monica Handicap (1,400m), and Whyte has preferred what he has seen at residence since that effort.
“I assumed his native debut was a pleasant first-up run. The gap was too quick and he wasn’t fairly prepared, as all of us knew,” mentioned Whyte. “He’s come on so much from that introduction to Hong Kong racing and the step up in journey will definitely be useful.
“I don’t suppose he’ll want much more time [to reach his peak] given what he has proven me in a brief house of time. He’s definitely tailored and adjusted.
“He’s come on considerably from that first-up run and he’s undoubtedly acclimatised and adjusted a lot faster than I’d have anticipated him to.”
Regardless of his apparent class, Shanwah might want to present an explosive flip of foot on Sunday to be taking over a Group One begin at subsequent month’s Longines Hong Kong Worldwide Races (HKIR).
That’s not a fantastic thought for Whyte, although the 54-year-old is cautious of a large attract gate 10 making issues tough for him to point out his greatest.
“The draw goes to be a little bit of a priority. I do suppose he’s going to be a greater horse with cowl following a couple of,” mentioned Whyte.
“He tends to provide me the texture that he desires to chase horses, so hopefully with the velocity within the race he can attempt to discover someplace midfield or barely additional again with cowl and cross some horses late.
“I believe that’s one of the best plan of assault, however I’ll clearly wait and see if there may be any monitor bias or sample on the day.”
With Group One targets in thoughts, Whyte has set a benchmark that his four-year-old might want to meet if he’s to rock up towards the likes of Romantic Warrior and Quisisana on December 14.
“He’d need to be operating residence with robust sectionals. I do know he’s going to enhance once more after this race. He does properly at residence within the feed bin and typically, so he’s going to take a whole lot of enchancment from this run once more,” Whyte mentioned.
“I’d be completely happy to see him run residence strongly and I do know third up or fourth up is the place he’ll seemingly be at his peak. I believe he would wish to complete third or fourth a minimum of to be wanting in direction of the Cup.”
Whyte has loved a powerful begin to the marketing campaign, slamming in 9 winners and an additional 16 seconds or thirds.
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