High Point set to move up the ranks(6 Feb)

MARK YOUR CARD by MURRAY BELL

The impressive debut performance of High Point in finishing second to Medic Power in the sixth event at Sha Tin on Sunday shows Danny Shum Chap-shing has another quality galloper in his care, and one destined for the higher grades.

High Point had one start in Melbourne, under the name De Beaumont, and rattled home to win a maiden over 1,000 metres at Werribee on their Cup Day meeting on November 1.

A sale to Hong Kong was completed immediately after that victory and, after coming out of quarantine, De Beaumont did not set foot on the training tracks until January 5. So to produce such a big run on his first attempt on Sunday, on a very limited preparation, speaks volumes for the raw ability of this smart young horse.

The video of his Werribee win made instructive viewing. The son of VRC Sires' Product Stakes winner Spectatorial settled back in the field, without cover, but moved into second place on the turn into the short home straight.

With the leader going strongly and looking set for a comfortable win, High Point found an extra gear in the final 150m and grabbed victory in the dying strides.

On Sunday, High Point missed the start by about a length before being driven through to a rails position forward of midfield.

Jockey Eric Saint-Martin manoeuvred away from the rails at the top of the straight to follow Egyptian Ra and then took him wider, into clear galloping room.

Eventually High Point finished 1-1/4 lengths ahead of Egyptian Ra in second placing, but was an identical margin behind the ultra-impressive Medic Power, handled by apprentice Marco Chui Kwan-lai.

Medic Power ran the 1,200m in 1:08.8, which calculates out to be 0.6 seconds faster than standard after factoring out the speed of the track on the day.

This was therefore a high-rating race and the form out of it is sure to be strong.

Egyptian Ra ran to his best figures, beaten 2-1/2 lengths and despite the bump he received when Chui pushed out of a pocket at the 250m, he basically had every chance because he got the fast pace he needs to do his best.

Northern Hero ran fourth as a $2.2 favourite, though exactly how he could have been so short is a question for another day.

The other eye-catching run in the race came from fifth placegetter Pocket Money, shouldering topweight of 133 pounds and making his debut for the John Size yard.

Although he was up only six pounds in body weight, Pocket Money gave the impression of being significantly more round and balanced than he had been previously.

It was his highest-rating performance since his last win, on April 23, and suggests that another victory is just around the corner once the master horseman gets him fully worked out.