Tomodachi Kokoroe will take to Sha Tin Racecourse this Sunday (October 25) in a bid to defend his crown in the HK$5.35 million G2 Lukfook Jewellery Premier Bowl (1200m Handicap). Although the experienced galloper has not added to his win tally since last year’s victory, regular rider Harry Bentley believes the horse has what it takes to bounce back to winning ways. A year ago, Tomodachi Kokoroe captured the Premier Bowl in a time of 1m 07.39s, second only to the Sha Tin 1200m turf track record broken earlier that year by stablemate Ka Ying Rising, currently the world’s highest-rated sprinter. The Written Tycoon gelding caught the eye last season with a perfect three-from-three start, winning a Class 2 event at his second outing before successfully stepping up to G2 company, a performance Bentley attributed to the horse being in peak condition under trainer David Hayes. Since that victory, Tomodachi Kokoroe has campaigned almost exclusively in Group company, producing notable efforts including a third-place finish at long odds in May’s G3 Sha Tin Vase (1200m Handicap) and a respectable sixth in last December’s G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), where he finished ahead of world-class sprinters like Satono Reve, Jasper Krone, and Aesop’s Fables. Bentley dismisses the horse’s disappointing run in the G3 National Day Cup (1000m Handicap) three weeks ago due to the excessively fast pace, noting that a return to 1200m will be much more suitable and drawing confidence from his strong trackwork. While defending the title will be tough against a strong field including Raging Blizzard, Colourful Emperor, Copartner Prance, Beauty Waves, Ka Ying Warrior, Red Green, Wind Rises, and Sing Dragon, Bentley remains optimistic in a highly competitive race. Meanwhile, Hayes is hoping his three-year-old Starry Warrior can return to the winner’s enclosure in the Class 4 (Restricted) Lukfook Jewellery Rhapsody Handicap. The Star Turn progeny won brilliantly on debut in June but managed only two runner-up finishes since; Hayes hopes the step up to 1200m and a seven-pound claim from apprentice H.Y. Yuen will spark improvement. Additionally, Hayes provided an update on his stable star Ka Ying Rising, who safely returned to Hong Kong on Monday after his 21-race winning streak ended in the G1 The Everest in Sydney, emphasizing that the lightly raced star still has plenty of opportunities ahead to rebuild a winning sequence. Sunday’s 11-race Sha Tin card commences at 12:40 PM with the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Rhapsody Handicap (1200m).
Source: HKJC