His dream start continued as a trainer as Durban-born Douglas Whyte saddled his third winner from 11 runners, and his second in tandem with Alberto Sanna, when Last Kingdom broke his Hong Kong duck at start 21 at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
The Frankel gelding barreled to the lead from the gate, threw his head around once there, but eventually settled into a rhythm that took him to a length and a quarter win in the Class 3 Deep Water Bay Handicap (1650m).
Alberto Sanna rode the winner.
Alberto Sanna celebrates Last Kingdom’s win (Pic – Hong Kong Jockey Club)
“He’s been really keen but he’s learned to switch off nicely in the mornings,” Whyte said of his charge, who was previously with trainers Tony Millard and Paul O’Sullivan.
“He’s not the best beginner,” the former champion jockey continued, “he’s a grinder and with no real leader tonight I thought he could dictate things, and if he did that, with fitness on his side, he could benefit from it. I was surprised that having got a bit keen he still quickened away and dropped them turning for home. He did a pretty good job to stay on because he must have run some good sectionals the last 300 (metres).”
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday, 15 September
