After a six-month hiatus, Youthful Deal is set to make a highly anticipated return to his favored course and distance in Sunday’s Class Two Peninsula Golden Jubilee Challenge Cup (1,200m) on Sha Tin’s all-weather track. The five-year-old, trained by Frankie Lor Fu-chuen, had previously shown impressive form, securing three consecutive victories over this dirt track earlier in the year.
Youthful Deal’s last performances were less than stellar on turf, and a typhoon thwarted his planned comeback in early October. His last race saw him finishing eighth over a longer dirt distance, leaving fans and punters eager to see him back in his preferred conditions.
Trainer Lor has high hopes for Youthful Deal, who will be ridden by jockey Vincent Ho Chak-yiu from barrier two. Lor believes the horse’s trial performance and affinity for the dirt track position him well for a strong comeback. A potential target for Youthful Deal is the prestigious Group One Dubai Golden Shaheen (1,200m) at Meydan in March, but he will need to improve his rating to make that a viable option.
The upcoming races will be crucial in determining whether a trip to the Middle East for the World Cup night is a realistic ambition. Lor also has expectations for Everyone’s Victory in the Class Four Middle Handicap (1,200m), hoping for a solid performance despite a challenging draw.
Youthful Deal will face stiff competition from the likes of in-form horses like Packing Treadmill, Chancheng Prince, and Flying Ace. Also in the mix is Xponential, trained by Douglas Whyte, who is making his first start on the dirt track after 44 turf outings. Whyte praises Xponential’s toughness and honesty, and despite the horse’s vulnerability on this new surface, he remains optimistic about trying something different.
Whyte, currently in second place in the trainers’ championship, is determined to keep up the momentum with a stable that’s performing well. With six runners this weekend, he looks to solidify his position and continue the stable’s success.
Youthful Deal’s return to the all-weather track at Sha Tin is not just a test for the horse but also an opportunity to gauge his potential for international competitions. Fans and experts alike will be watching closely to see if he can recapture the form that made him a standout earlier in the year.
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