Chairman's Sprint: Mr Stunning rolls back the years for in-form rider Teetan
Mr Stunning rolled back the years in the Chairman's Sprint Prize, the first of three Group 1s on Champions Day at Sha Tin on Sunday.
He became only the third seven-year-old to win the race in its 41-year history and was sent off at long odds after failing to get his nose in front in seven starts since December 2018.
Mr Stunning, who finished second in this 6f contest two years ago, showed he retains all his old ability when capitalising on a bunched finish and powering through the smallest of gaps to finish clear of Big Time Baby and win by three-quarters of a length.
"I just had so much horse underneath me," said winning jockey Karis Teetan, who recorded a treble on the card. "I was tracking a few good horses and waiting for a gap to open. He has a big heart, so I knew he would get going as soon as he got that run."
"Unfortunately he had a shoulder problem last season but he's recovered and has always gone close this season," said trainer Frankie Lor.
"Because of the injury he suffered I can't push him too hard, especially as he's an older horse, so I didn't run him in a trial before this race. We just tried to freshen him up for it.
"We planned for this to be his last run but I'll talk to the owner to see what he thinks. He was my first Group 1 winner when he won the 2017 Hong Kong Sprint and I'm happy for him."
Thanks Forever narrowly missed out on second by a short head, while fourth was claimed by Hot King Prawn, a further three-quarters of a length behind under superstar jockey Joao Moreira.
The even-money favourite Aethero led for most of the race under Zac Purton but tailed off and was later found to have bled.
Read more:
Redemption for Zac Purton as Exultant claims the QEII Cup with dominant display
Shock as hot favourite Beauty Generation beaten in Champions Mile photo-finish
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Published on 26 April 2020inInternational
Last updated 10:59, 27 April 2020
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