Wednesday night’s feature at Happy Valley is the Class 3 Australian Turf Club Trophy Handicap (1200m). Douglas Whyte is set to partner Super Leader (120lb), a horse that he has ridden at 18 of his 29 starts, including to a last-time second behind Super Hoppy at the course and distance.

“He did get a bump there, but the winner was always coming with a lot of purpose and momentum. It impinged him a little bit, but it certainly didn’t cost him the race,” Whyte said of the Dennis Yip-trained Super Leader. 

“I think he’s always held his form, but I think the imperative key for him is that he drew a gate. He hasn’t got the initial gate speed and he’s not a horse that really wants to be driven forward, he likes to get into a rhythm and find the line as he showed last start. It should be similar on Wednesday night.”

Super Leader, trained in New Zealand prior to his arrival at Sha Tin, won early in his Hong Kong career, sprinting to a four-length success at his fourth local start in March, 2016. However, he has only won once since, with Whyte saying there are a number of factors responsible for his low strike-rate.

“He’s limited, firstly, and he likes to be fresh,” the 13-time champion jockey said. “He also likes give in the ground, hence the reason he obviously performs better at Happy Valley and he’ll appreciate the rain around currently. I think, though, once he’s in form, he seems to hold it and run well.”

Also engaged in the trophy event are the Chris So-trained Prince Harmony (132lb), Francis Lui’s Shanghai Master (132lb), Bulb Elite (123lb) for Paul O’Sullivan and Zero Hedge (123lb), representing the John Size yard.

The Australian Turf Club Trophy is the sixth of eight races at Happy Valley on Wednesday night and is scheduled to jump at 9.45pm, with the opener, the Class 5 Balsamine Handicap (1000m), set down for 7.15pm.

Super Leader (in pink) finishes second over the Happy Valley 1200m last start, picture Hong Kong Jockey Club