Survey Survey makes huge impression (5 Dec)

MARK YOUR CARD by JOHN BELL

British three-year-old Survey Survey may have surprised most with his victory at 130-1 odds at Sha Tin on Saturday, but the performance of the Tony Cruz-trained colt was outstanding and he looks to have a very bright future.

The Chester House youngster, a failure at his local debut on the all-weather track, landed three back on the fence under Vincent Sit Shing-kin and was travelling comfortably entering the home straight.

Sit pushed Survey Survey through a needle-eye opening and he picked up smartly once in the clear to lengthen out like a horse with considerable promise, at the same time ending the unbeaten run of Sunny Power.

Survey Survey only raced five times in England under the name of Deepwater Bay before arriving in Hong Kong with a record of one win and two seconds.

He has a stamp of quality about him and gives the impression he will only get better with time and maturity.

It may only be early days, but the Hong Kong Derby is sure to be on his agenda following the victory, which lifted his domestic rating from 88 to 96 points.

Sunny Power may have lost his unbeaten tag, but his effort was respectable given he took a bit of time to settle after racing keenly early, while River Jordan's performance to finish fourth also had merit.

He had to wait to switch around the heels of Sunny Power in the straight but closed off well in the final stages and was a shade unlucky not to figure in the placings. He is showing signs he may now be looking for something a bit longer and it appears only a matter of time before he returns to his best.

There was only one other turf race for the afternoon and it was taken out in brilliant fashion by the debutant Sacred Kingdom, who looks set to march through his classes.

The Ricky Yiu Poon-fie-trained three-year-old was slow from the barriers under Danny Nikolic but cruised up to be in a challenging position at the 500-metre mark.

When Nikolic finally released the brakes, the Encosta De Lago gelding quickly had the race in his grasp and went to the line with plenty in reserve. Hong Kong Jockey Club chief handicapper Ciaran Kennelly was also suitably impressed with the performance, dishing out a 12-point penalty to take the gelding straight into Class Three off a rating of 64 points.