By Alan Carasso
Two of Hong Kong's most progressive horses were each sent off as odds-on favorites in Class 2 events late on the Sunday program at Sha Tin, but each tasted defeat for the second time in their respective careers.
'TDN Rising Star' Pakistan Star (Ger) (Shamardal) was the $15 (1-2) favourite in race nine, a 1600-metre event, and was once again off a beat slowly before lagging well behind the field and racing erratically at times down the backstretch. Trailing the field as they entered the final 450 metres, Pakistan Star raced in traffic while making progress and zeroed in on Simply Invincible (NZ) (Rios {NZ}) once into the clear, but his rally fell a half-length shy (video).
Mr Stunning (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), three-for-four during his first year at the track in 2015/2016, was favoured at $18 (4-5) in his seasonal debut and appeared to hop at the break, spotting his rivals some ground before mustering into midfield during the middle portion of the race. In heavy traffic in the stretch, he was bothered by a rival to his outside, finally extricated himself and flew home to finish fourth, beaten about a half-length (video).
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