A reunion between Karis Teetan and Panfield could be coming at just the right time as the pair attempt to win the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) for the second straight year.
The Mauritian rider was on board when Panfield beat Columbus County in last year’s renewal and was in the saddle for the stayer’s first three runs this season, before trainer Tony Millard turned to different riders for the galloper’s next three starts.
But with Panfield signalling a return to form last start with a good third behind Romantic Warrior in the QE II Cup, Teetan was delighted to get the call from Millard.
“It’s nice to be back on him, it’s been a while,” Teetan said. “I rode him in his last trial and I thought he’d come on a lot.
“Before his last start a few of his runs had been disappointing but it was nice to see him back to himself last time and finishing his race well. His trial was fantastic and I’m really happy with how he is going.”
A trip to Japan for next month’s Group One Takarazuka Kinen (2,200m) is on the cards for Panfield if he performs well at Sha Tin on Sunday and Teetan believes he’s the ideal type for an international trip.
“When you’ve got a horse like that, you want to take the opportunity to see what he can offer in the big long-distance races and it’s worth going because there are not many races for this type of horse until next season,” Teetan said.
Elsewhere on Sunday’s card, Teetan renews acquaintances with Sight Success in the Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m). A winning partnership three starts ago, the pair have gate 10 to overcome this weekend.
“We don’t have the best gate but he’s been running well,” Teetan said. “He won with me and then ran that nice second behind Wellington and he still ran a great race to be beaten two lengths in a Group One last time.
“Nervous Witness is drawn eight so he’s going to go forward and there is one or two on my inside who might press on, but we can’t take him back as he has a lot of natural speed.
“I haven’t spoken to Mr Size yet but I’d imagine we’d let him use his action and the speed that he has and if we can get him across without using too much petrol, that should help us in the straight.”
Teetan’s best mounts on Sunday have mostly been handed tough draws, with Circuit Stellar also breaking from barrier 10 in the Class Three Indigenous Handicap (1,400m).
Teetan rounds off fantastic week with QE II Cup win aboard Romantic Warrior
“I hope God will change my draws in the future as I’ve got such bad draws this week,” Teetan said. “Circuit Stellar got held up in the straight last time and he’s drawn on the outside. It’s not going to be easy for him but he has been running very well. If he gets the right run, we’ll be very close.”
My Intelligent has won from gate 10 and finished second from barrier 14 in his past two starts and has been burdened with stall 13 in the Class Four Blazing Speed Handicap (1,400m).
“I was really hoping to get a draw with him,” Teetan said. “He’s been running well and it would be nice to get another win for Peter [Ho Leung] as he’s been supporting me and giving me a few rides.
“He doesn’t have the biggest of strings at the moment but he’s got a few horses running well and if I could get one on the board for him, it would be really nice.”