Ricky Yiu is optimistic Nimble Nimbus can maintain the stable’s wonderful momentum with another strong performance when the consistent galloper tackles the Class 2 Wyndham Handicap (1650m) at Happy Valley today.
Trailing John Size (51 wins) by six in the 2022/23 Hong Kong trainers’ championship, Yiu will team up with Alexis Badel in a reprise of the pair’s triumphant BMW Hong Kong Derby partnership with Voyage Bubble.
Ricky Yiu and Alexis Badel team up again (Pic – HKJC)
With a trio of Class 3 victories this season, Nimble Nimbus has risen from 67 in the handicaps to 85 as he pushes for his sixth career win at his 20th start.
“He’s a horse that keeps improving, he’s done well this season. His form has been solid. I reckon with a good draw (barrier two), he will perform really well again,” Yiu, the 2019/20 Hong Kong champion trainer, said.
“Up in Class 2, you need a good draw and the lightweight (122lb) to help you but the horse keeps on improving, he’s very honest and I hope he can do the job again. He loves to race a little bit fresh and he’s not a difficult horse to ride.”
With seven starters across nine races at the city circuit , Yiu is also excited by the prospect of pitting Voyage Bubble against more seasoned rivals in the HK$20 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on 30 April.
“He’s (Voyage Bubble) as good as gold. He’s a tough horse. I reckon he’s a horse with a lot of talent, he’s on his way up. Eventually, he’ll meet the big boys, so I choose to run him against them at the end of the month.”
In peak form after four winners, three seconds, and a third from eight rides at Sha Tin last Sunday, Hugh Bowman is confident E Universe can continue the streak in the second section of Class 4 Glenealy Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley tomorrow night.
“He’s a real racehorse. With a good draw (barrier two) and back to familiar ground at Happy Valley, he should get the run of the race. He’s got natural pace and I think he will certainly make his presence felt.”
Trainer Manfred Man has removed the blinkers as the last-start runner-up presses for a breakthrough win.
Hugh Bowman has 43 wins for the season to date (Pic – HKJC)
“He’s a very competitive horse, so he knows what his job is. He’s only small and I just felt he was wasting energy with the blinkers on. He was up on the bridle and he was doing too much,” Bowman said.
“I thought he showed a lot of courage in continuing to hit the line in the way he did after over-doing it a bit in the middle stages. So, if he does relax a little bit better – which I expect he will – he will show a better turn of foot. He’s at the right level. He’s ready to win and hopefully, he can.”
Angus Chung hopes Atomic Energy can make it two wins in a row when he contests the Class 4 Graham Handicap (1000m) for Tony Cruz.
“Last time, it was a very good finish. He’s got the ability to have a good sprint and he’s a tough horse as well. I’ll try to get him as close to the pace as I can, hopefully in the first four.
“He’s just a natural racehorse. He knows what to do. He’s definitely improved a lot and I’m looking forward to it.”
Today’s card kicks off with the Class 3 Cochrane Handicap (2200m) at 12h45.
