Soulmate crowns progressive stint with Happy Valley triumph

 Soulmate capped a season crammed with improvement and success with dramatic victory in the Class 2 Bellflower Handicap (1800m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night to justify Ricky Yiu’s faith in the talented former Kiwi galloper.

Soulmate has strung together four wins this term – two at Happy Valley and two at Sha Tin – to rise from 61 in the handicap at the start of the season to the cusp of a triple-figure mark after triumphing as a 91-rater by a short head over BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) third place-getter Money Catcher.

Unbeaten in two starts in New Zealand when racing as Not Ideal out of Tony Pike’s Cambridge stable, Soulmate was placed twice in his first eight Hong Kong appearances but he has blossomed this campaign.

Yiu has long held a favourable opinion of the Nicconi gelding and his faith has been amply rewarded this term.

“He's an easy horse to ride and he's ever so honest. Once he gets to the front he never stops. He's a lovely horse to train,” Yiu said.

“I'll pack him up for the season now. He's done a great job this season and he needs a bit longer break to get him ready for next season. He seems to enjoy the small track with the tight bends, it won't be easy to find a race for him at the Valley next season but I'll try.”

Sharrock pair heading to Trentham

Taranaki trainer Allan Sharrock will head south on Saturday to Trentham with in-form duo Justaskme and Ladies Man.

Runner-up last start in the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1650m) at Waverley, six-year-old Justaskme will make a drop in class to tackle the Courtesy Ford Manawatu 1600 with Sharrock saying he was running out of options with the son of No Excuse Needed and has engaged apprentice jockey Jeetesh Mudhoo for the ride.

“There was nowhere else to go,” Sharrock said. “Once you get to that rating you have to take a punt on a four claimer.

“Chase will be hard to beat but with a four-kilo spread we might have a chance of winning it. I’m happy with him, we did a bit of three-quarter with him this morning.”

Later in the day Ladies Man will be out to add another win to his bourgeoning record when he contests the Lawnmaster 1400.

The lightly race four-year-old has had seven starts for two wins and four placings and Sharrock is feeling positive about his chances on the Wellington track.

“Ladies Man is flying,” he said. “We are pretty happy with him.”