Hot King Prawn returns to the Group 1 menu after career best run

Not many horses return from colic surgery better than ever but Hot King Prawn has done just that.

He is now Hong Kong's joint highest-rated sprinter on a mark of 127 with stablemate Beat The Clock after beating high-class rivals under Joao Moreira in Sunday's feature event at Sha Tin.

John Size's grey held the late surge of possible Al Quoz Sprint hope Thanks Forever by half a length and will aim for the Group 2 Sprint Cup (April 5) before a return to Group 1 company in the Chairman's Sprint Prize on April 26.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing on Twitter

“I think time is the governor of all things and that probably helped,” Size said. “His wasn’t a complicated surgery – I think vets are of the opinion that if they don’t have to cut the intestine the horse has a better prognosis. Normally, a horse struggles to regain form, but I don't think he’s lost anything.”

Moreira feels it is "a matter of time" before Hot King Prawn lands his first Group 1 and his confidence is understandable with the news that old rival Beat The Clock, who beat him by a neck in December's Hong Kong Sprint, is being given a break and will miss the rest of the season.

Moreira on fast track for Dubai
hit-and-run mission

Joao Moreira: seven ahead of Zac Purton at the top of the jockeys' tableCredit: Getty Images

Moreira remains seven ahead of Zac Purton at the top of the jockeys' table but continuing flight problems caused by coronavirus are causing headaches ahead of his planned trip to Dubai for World Cup night on March 28.

The Brazilian is booked to partner Japanese stars Glory Vase (Sheema Classic) and Win Bright (Dubai Turf) along with Hong Kong hopes Elusive State (Godolphin Mile) and Big Time Baby (Golden Shaheen) on March 28, but the Saturday night flight which normally gets Hong Kong riders home for Sunday racing at Sha Tin is no longer on the schedules.

Purton could also be in Dubai if Thanks Forever fulfils his Al Quoz Sprint entry but the Hong Kong Jockey Club would be unlikely to agree to Hong Kong's two superstar riders – and biggest turnover drivers – missing a Sunday card and therefore talk of a private plane is in the air.

"It sounds like we wouldn't be the only ones to benefit, which makes it even more sensible," said Moreira. "A private plane could get us home even earlier and then maybe we could ride the full card."

Ryan Moore misses out as Joao Moreira gets his Way

Sunday's Sha Tin card put paid to any lingering hopes that Beauty Legacy could be Moreira's Hong Kong Derby mount as John Size's increasingly headstrong gelding pulled way too hard and paid a predictable price in the Class 2 contest won by Helene Leadingstar.

However, as one Size door closed another reopened and Moreira will now replace Ryan Moore on Champion's Way on March 22.

Champion's Way has gradually returned to his best this season - most recently when chasing home Derby favourite Golden Sixty in the Classic Cup - and Size feels Moreira is the safer Derby option in view of continuing travel concerns for Moore and other imported riders caused by the coronavirus situation.

Teetan treble tempered by historic first Hong Kong whip ban

Zac Purton logged the 1,100th winner of his Hong Kong career when Lucky More scrambled home in the Sha Tin finale, while Derek Leung passed the 300 mark on Charge Forward and 5lb claimer Victor Wong was in tears after Smiling Success gave him his first winner since a serious gallops accident put his career in jeopardy last May.

Karis Teetan: highly unusual place in the history booksCredit: Aitor Alcalde

However, the man who had more reason to celebrate than most also ended the day with a highly unusual place in the history books.

Karis Teetan moved within one of a half century by completing a treble aboard President's Choice, Will Power and Lakeshore Eagle but in using the whip in front of the saddle on two of the three he became the first rider in Hong Kong history to be suspended for misuse of the whip.

The fact that Teetan had already been fined four times for the same offence was "taken into consideration" as the stewards suspended him for a single meeting.

The fact that the Mauritian had already been fined £500 for repeatedly dropping his whip earlier this season adds another odd twist to a very unusual tale.

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com