Racing Post

Cordyceps Six on the upgrade for Gibson

JA McGrath

TRAINER Richard Gibson, who has long been planning a successful December, can start the ball rolling by landing the Class 3 handicap (8.35) down Sha Tin’s straight 5f course with the promising

Cordyceps Six.

This is international week, and Gibson’s main objective is getting his stable star Wellington into the winner’s enclosure in the highly competitive Hong Kong Sprint next weekend. The sprinter’s encouraging recent trial on the dirt came as a timely morale boost.

Cordyceps Six has already established a reputation as a giant-killer. He demoralised 1-10 favourite Nervous Witness over course and distance four weeks ago and although it was a shock to most, it was certainly no fluke.

The Australian-bred threeyear-old is 3-6 and starting to climb through the ranks. He won his first race at 108-1, and he has never won at odds less than 7-1, although that trend is now likely to end.

Drawn on the favoured stands’ rail (gate 14), Cordyceps Six should be close all the way for 3lb claimer Jerry Chau, and he has most to fear from two drawn on the opposite side of the track, namely Super Fortune (6) and Seizing The Moment (2).

There is nothing like a change of stable to inspire the ‘new’ trainer to try everything for a first-time victory, which appears to be the case with the Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Joy in the 7f handicap (9.45).

Beauty Joy was unbeaten in four starts in West Australia before joining David Hayes, for whom he was unplaced in his only two outings in Hong Kong. He has not run for ten months, but since joining Cruz has impressed in three barrier trials, with Zac Purton ever-present in the saddle.

Joao Moreira and John Size can combine for another win with the progressive Pins Prince in the Class 4 7f handicap (7.35). The extra furlong will suit perfectly.

THE DAILY BRIEFING

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2021-12-04T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-12-04T08:00:00.0000000Z

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