D B Pin scotched any doubts about his ability to last 1200 metres and proved the all-weather track to be no barrier to his continuing progress, with an easy victory in the Class 2 Chun Shek Handicap at Sha Tin on Wednesday, 5 April.
John Size's charge made an impressive dirt race debut. After stalking the lead-sharing Pablosky from a handy rail berth, D B Pin shifted three deep on the turn for home and quickened down the home stretch to clock a swift 1m 07.59s, with a closing 400m split of 22.22s. Despite jockey Zac Purton nursing the four-year-old home through the final half-furlong, that time was a season's fastest at the course and distance.
"It was painless," Purton said of the top-weight (133lb). "Obviously, the draw (1) helped tonight – and just being a little bit more patient on him. He tracked up really nicely; the speed was good for him. We had all the breaks go for us but he was impressive – it was a good performance."
D B Pin, the 2.3 favourite, drew three and a quarter lengths clear of runner-up Blocker Dee (132lb), and it was a further half-length back to third-placed Pablosky (127lb) as the 11 rivals failed to cope with the 97-rated victor's acceleration.
The Darci Brahma gelding took his career record to five wins from eight starts, having racked up four wins – all at 1000m – from five previous outings this term. The New Zealand-bred had already risen 41 ratings points this season prior to tonight's success.
