'Rising Star' Tries Class 2 at Sha Tin

Pakistan Star (Ger) (Shamardal), who became the first Hong Kong-based horse to garner 'TDN Rising Star' status with a second consecutive improbable victory Sept. 18, looks to make it three on the hop in a Class 2 handicap over 1400 metres Sunday afternoon at Sha Tin Racecourse.

An €200,000 purchase by the Hong Kong Jockey Club out of the 2014 Arqana Deauville Yearling Sale, the gelding fetched HK$6 million at the Hong Kong International Sale this past March and belied debut odds of 15-1 with a last-to-first swoop July 1. He backed it up last time after yet another slow start, but he jumped well in a recent barrier trial up the straight and connections are expectingruz another strong run Sunday as Pakistan Star looks to cement his status as a Hong Kong Derby contender.

“We've got to respect the other candidates in the race, but he's feeling well in himself and he's a nice prospect so we're looking forward to running him,” said jockey Matthew Chadwick.

Added trainer Tony Cruz: “We can think about the [BMW Hong Kong] Derby and have done already, but first I want to get Sunday out of the way and see where he sits after that. He still does a few little things wrong, and I expect him to be out the back again on Sunday, but hopefully he can win again and then we can look beyond that race.”