Douglas Whyte says his exciting import Shanwah can improve with a step up in distance at Sha Tin on Sunday (30 November) and justify his inclusion in the field for the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m).

The four-year-old generated considerable excitement on his Hong Kong arrival following a stellar three-year-old campaign in Australia, where he claimed AU$738,000 (approx. HK$3.8 million) in prizemoney after high-profile wins in the G2 Caulfield Autumn Classic (1800m) and the G2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m), before running third in the G1 Australian Derby (2400m).

However, he struggled to live up to the hype on debut in Hong Kong, finishing 11th in a Class 2 handicap over 1400 metres. Whyte believes the move to a mile will aid his development and that the Too Darn Hot gelding has improved for that run.

“I thought his debut run was acceptable for the amount of work I was able to get into him,” Whyte said. “I think that’s what he’s looking for – 1600 metres, possibly further – but 1400 was somewhere to start him, and at least he’s had that run into him – he’s got a bit of mileage into his legs.

“He just needs to adjust from a race tempo and pressure point of view, and then he’ll be on his way.”

The learning curve will be steep – Shanwah must face the world’s record earner and 10-time Group 1 winner Romantic Warrior in a sparkling renewal of the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup at 14 December’s showpiece meeting.

To have any realistic hope against the likes of Romantic Warrior, Shanwah (116lb) will need to show significant improvement in Sunday’s Class 2 1600m Turf Handicap.

Keagan de Melo, who departs Hong Kong next week and is still searching for his first win of the season, takes the ride.

Whyte is confident his charge can transfer his Australian form to Sha Tin and is giving Shanwah every chance by reinstating some familiar headwear.

“Good horses do adjust, and that one run has hopefully brought him on mentally – I know it’s brought him on physically,” Whyte said.

“He’s also got the blinkers going back on him. He raced with blinkers in Australia, so he’s got those going on on Sunday. I think those will certainly make him a lot more focused. So there’s a few positives,” he added.

While Shanwah aims to prove his international credentials, a rival in Sunday’s field with similar LONGINES Hong Kong International Races aspirations is Cody Mo’s Pray For Mir, who occupies a reserve slot in the HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m).

Ridden by long-term partner Matthew Chadwick, the five-year-old will jump from gate 14 carrying the top weight (135lb) on the back of an 11th place in last week’s G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m).

“He’s very fit, he’s very healthy. Unfortunately, the last couple of times here, the race hasn’t been run to suit,” Chadwick said.

“If he gets the right run, he always puts his heart out there. So if we can get a nice run in transit, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t run well.”

Sunday’s (30 November) 10-race fixture at Sha Tin starts at 12.45pm with the Class 4 1000m Turf Handicap.