Digital One, Easy as A.B.C. the front-runners for Liu Chie Poo Trophy

STUNNED BY fellow American WALL STREET TRADER’s lightning-fast splits when reporting off a five-month break on May 5, DIGITAL ONE returns drilled at exercise, producing glowing workouts, which should pave her way to the winners’ enclosure for Saturday’s Liu Chie Poo Trophy at a mile.

Unbeaten in three starts as a two-year-old last season, clocking impressive times from five and a half to seven furlongs, DIGITAL ONE was sent off as the money-back favourite against older horses in her first start as a three-year-old on May 5.

However, reporting off a five-month lay-up and breaking from the inside draw, DIGITAL ONE, who had shown in her previous race at seven furlongs that she appeared more comfortable at middle-distances, got a baptism of speed from five-year-old gelding WALL STREET TRADER at six furlongs.

Fresh off a runaway win at seven and a half furlongs, WALL STREET TRADER, who had previously given DIGITAL ONE’s stablemate, FUNCAANDONE, a run for his money at seven furlongs, knackered splits of 22.3, 34.0, 45.0 and 57.3, leaving the field for dead.

DIGITAL ONE tried chasing but never looked the part, relegated to third by DUKE inside the final furlong, appearing ordinary as her win streak came to a screeching halt.

Returning to the exercise track, DIGITAL ONE has been in a no-nonsense mood since, first reeling off 1:05.4 for five and a half furlongs on May 15, the last five in 59.3, before galloping six out the mile chute two Sundays past in preparation for the Liu Chie Poo.

Facing seven rivals, none with the pace of WALL STREET TRADER, DIGITAL ONE will be comfortable, even more so at 114lb, possibly 116 for Tevin Foster. Either way, DIGITAL ONE should be in receipt of at least 10lb from topweight NEO STAR, who appears her only company on the lead.

EASY AS A. B. C., the four-year-old American, who confirmed the railbirds’ whispers with a complete reversal of form fourth time out, still hasn’t been showing any speed gallops at exercise, suggesting that whatever had plagued him in his first three starts remains an underlying factor.

Though returning at 118lb, the weight with which he had clocked 1:26.3 for seven on May 11, getting first run on local closers, MONEY MISER and POWER FROM ABOVE, EASY AS A. B. C. could be in for a shocker against a hyped DIGITAL ONE.

However, being a son of 2016 Travers and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, Arrogate, who won the Pegasus and Dubai World Cups the following year, EASY AS A. B. C. could be a sleeping giant not to be underestimated.

Avoid playing hero by using both Americans on all bets. Whereas speed exposed DIGITAL ONE’s glass chin, EASY AS A. B. C. who was imported specifically for last year’s Mouttet Mile, could have an unknown arsenal up his sleeves.