Divine Ten looked destined for big things when he won last year’s Bauhinia Sprint Trophy but trainer Me Tsui’s speedster has been unable to build on that promise this term due to injury.
Divine Ten closed out his 2013/2014 campaign attempting to concede 3lb to subsequent dual G1 winner Aerovelocity in the HKG3 Sha Tin Vase.
He failed by only a short-head. But after finishing 10th in the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1200m) on the first day of the current season, Divine Ten became a forgotten horse on the sidelines.
A heart irregularity manifested itself post-race and three days later he was found to have suffered an off-fore tendon injury.
The Holy Roman Emperor gelding is now ready to return and will take his chance in this year’s Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1000m) on Tuesday for which he has been allotted 126lb.
His most recent barrier trial, a 1050m all-weather heat on 17 March, offered his fans and connections plenty of hope as he passed the post three quarters of a length behind subsequent G1 Al Quoz Sprint runner-up Peniaphobia.
He has had three gallops since then and the latest, on 1 April, saw Joao Moreira give him a spin over 800m on the dirt track. He clocked 53.8s (27.9, 25.9).
“I rode him in a gallop on Wednesday morning and he seemed much more relaxed than he used to be, which is a good sign,” said the current Hong Kong jockeys’ premiership leader.
“He was a quite nervous type of a horse and Me has done a very good job to get him to relax, which is very important, in my opinion.
“He felt good in his work and whatever he does this time I think he will go up another huge step in his following race.
“The race on Tuesday is going to be very tough and he is going to be one of those making it tough because he is a very talented horse. I’m really hoping he comes back to himself.”
The race features the usual mix of up-and-comers and established stalwarts.
The John Moore-trained Charles The Great tops the weights on 133lb and is one of three from the stable alongside Frederick Engels (130lb) and the Australian G3 winner Not Listenin’tome (108lb).
Also among the 14 entries are Eagle Regiment (130lb), Smart Volatility (130lb), All You Wish (125lb), Domineer (125lb), Tour De Force (125lb), Key Witness (120lb), Teofilo Calva (119lb), Master Kochanwong (118lb), Rad (115lb) and Charity Joy (107lb).
