Dennis Yip backs Fast Network to overcome big weight and hot field in Class Two sprint
Veteran handler rates his exciting sprinter a strong chance despite lumping 135lbs against strong opposition on Saturday
Dennis Yip Chor-hong is confident Fast Network can continue his hot form in Saturday's Class Two Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin as a potential tilt at the Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m) looms for the exciting sprinter.
A stunning four-length winner of the Class Two Barker Handicap (1,200m) last start, Fast Network headlines what is one of the best Class Two sprint fields assembled in Hong Kong in recent times.
The Wrote four-year-old will lump top weight of 135lbs against the likes of the returning Wunderbar, five-time winner Bottomuptogether, the in-form Invincible Shield, Gorgeous Win and Gustosisimo.
While Yip highlighted Francis Lui Kin-wai's Invincible Shield as a big threat chasing a fourth straight win, the veteran handler is pleased with Fast Network's progress since his demolition job on March 30.
'I checked the entries and Francis Lui's horse looks quite good, but I think my horse has very good form,' Yip said.
Last out and first home! 👌
Exciting sprinter Fast Network crushes his rivals as 1.4 favourite with @HugeBowman for Dennis Yip at Sha Tin... #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/UO6zynrgfl — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 30, 2025
'He enjoys it up at Conghua – he's very happy. He keeps improving.'
Since finishing a strong fourth to My Wish in January's Classic Mile, Fast Network has relished dropping back in distance with a pair of impressive victories.
He stormed home from last under star Kiwi jockey James McDonald to score in a Class Three 1,200m before his breathtaking display last start under Hugh Bowman, who retains the ride for Saturday's race.
Despite jumping only fairly and settling at the rear of the seven-horse field, Fast Network unleashed an explosive turn of foot to comfortably account for Bottomuptogether, who boosted the form by winning his next start on the dirt.
While Fast Network rises five pounds on that success, Yip is adamant he won't have an issue shouldering the big weight while he has the advantage of barrier one in the field of 12.
'He won with weight last time and two starts ago with James McDonald, he won with top weight [of 135lbs],' Yip said.
Bottomuptogether only meets Fast Network two pounds better from their previous encounter, with Frankie Lor Fu-chuen's classy sprinter rising to a mark of 100 off the back of a dominant last-start triumph.
Wunderbar's return will command plenty of attention given he holds the title as the only horse to have beaten the world's best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising.
John Size's quality galloper hasn't risen to the same heights as Ka Ying Rising since beating him in back-to-back races in January last year, but he did continue his winning ways with victories in his first two starts of the current season.
Size opted to give the four-year-old a break after his last-start defeat in January and he has impressed in four Conghua trials ahead of Saturday's race.
Champion jockey Zac Purton, who has been a regular rider of several top contenders in the Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road Handicap, has opted to ride Bottomuptogether.
That decision paved the way for fellow Australian Brenton Avdulla to take the reins of Wunderbar for the first time.
Another key booking is Lyle Hewitson on Invincible Shield, who has been booted home by visiting riders Tom Marquand, Ryan Moore and Craig Williams in his past three starts.
Saturday's Class Two sprint looms as a likely curtain-raiser for the Sha Tin Vase on May 31, particularly for Fast Network who boasts a rating of 103.
However, Yip won't confirm future plans for the talented galloper until after Saturday.
'We'll see how he goes and check how he pulls up first,' Yip said.
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