Brett Prebble believes Lucky Bubbles needs to stand up and be counted in Sunday’s Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m).
This is the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained six-year-old’s easiest assignment since winning last year’s Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize and the Australian jockey expects him to be in the finish.
“He should be winning, shouldn’t he? He’s got a good gate, he’s got a bunny who will run along in front – there are plenty of ticks there,” Prebble said.
“If he doesn’t put his hand up now and go and have a bit of a kill, it’s only going to be a slippery slide.”
Last start, Lucky Bubbles came fifth in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize, finishing five-and-a-half lengths behind Ivictory but Prebble expects him to take improvement from that run, which was his first run for three months.
“It was probably a bit below par,” he said. “He’d obviously had a decent break and he was coming back off that lay-off and he was racing horses that had been up all season and were very fit. It was a decent field that time, it was very strong – probably the best horses we’ve got.
“He got a little bit of a check just on straightening when Mr Stunning came out underneath his neck, which stopped his momentum, and he got a little bit tired late so I think he’ll definitely come on for that run.
What should punters do with Thewizardofoz in the Sha Tin Vase?
“He definitely didn’t feel the same horse that he used to, but he’s got older and he’s probably carrying a few issues. His action felt comfortable, he pulled up clean and he’s been very well since that.
“We gave him a nice blow in his trial recently – when I pushed the button, he extended well the last 150m and that was a positive sign.”
Prebble will partner Exultant in the Group One Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) after riding him over 2,200m two starts back.
Tony Cruz’s four-year-old won the Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2,400m) last start and it didn’t surprise the jockey that he relished the extra distance.
“After I got off him, I thought he was crying for the 2,400m or even the 3,200m,” Prebble said.
“He’s a genuine stayer with very good ability. The 2,000m is probably a little bit sharp for him so I’m looking forward to getting on him over the 2,400m and it will be a very interesting race.
“Obviously there are only a few runners but there are some serious horses in it. From [barrier] one, I could see myself ending up in the box seat and enjoying the run of the race, but with only five runners, anything could happen.”
