Building on stable star Lucky Sweynesse’s brilliant G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) triumph last Sunday (9 April), Manfred Man maintained impressive momentum when Encountered claimed the Class 2 Wyndham Handicap (1650m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (12 April).
Posting his third win over the course and distance this season, Encountered revelled in his return to the city circuit after finishing ninth behind Voyage Bubble in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 19 March to give Man his 29th win of the campaign.
“He’s an expert at the Valley mile. Now, he shows us that he loves one mile at Happy Valley, the track is a little bit softer, which I think is more suitable for him. He looks a nice horse – he’s won in Class 2, so he’s already nice,” Man said.
Encountered was given a shot at BMW Hong Kong Derby glory after stringing together a compelling string of Happy Valley performances, but he failed to deliver at Sha Tin finishing 12th in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on 26 February before contesting the Derby.
Derek Leung agreed with Man’s assessment regarding Encountered’s preference for the city circuit.
“It was good. He’s always very honest, especially at Happy Valley. Tonight, we had a good draw and after the Derby, he was freshened up and the blinkers were taken off. He was so smooth in the race tonight and in the end, he kept fighting,” he said.
“The track here is soft and seems to suit European horses.”
The Irish-bred picked up a PP Bonus of HK$1 million for his connections on top of a HK$1.653 million cheque for finishing in first place this evening.