Hong Kong newcomer Red Warrior looks like the one to beat in Roselle Handicap

The improving 3-year-old Red Warrior is expected to start favored in Thursday’s $176,103 Roselle Handicap at Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong.

Judging from his race record in England last winter, and a victory in his last start at Happy Valley, Red Warrior could be a horse to follow in coming months in Hong Kong.

Put simply, the gelding wins. After finishing fourth in his debut in September 2017, Red Warrior won three consecutive races on all-weather surfaces at Kempton Park and Lingfield Park in England from November to January while racing under the name Rusper for trainer Jamie Osborne.

Red Warrior was imported to Hong Kong earlier this year, and had his name changed, which is common for transfers. Red Warrior was fourth in a troubled trip in his Hong Kong debut on Sept. 5, but rebounded to win as the favorite in a handicap at Happy Valley at about a mile and 50 yards on turf on Sept. 29.

The Roselle Handicap is run at the same course and distance.

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Red Warrior, by Holy Roman Emperor, is the 133-pound highweight in the Roselle Handicap, which drew a field of 12.

Red Warrior is trained by John Size and will be ridden by Zac Purton, who was aboard for the Sept. 29 win. Purton is the leading rider in Hong Kong this season, which began in early September. Size was the leading trainer during the 2017-18 season that ended in July, but through Sunday had won with only 4 of 43 starters and was tied for 10th in the standings.

Tony Millard leads all trainers with 10 wins and starts Super Form in the Roselle Handicap. Super Form was fourth in his first start of the current season on Sept. 12, a race in which the 6-year-old gelding had a tough start and was beaten 2 3/4 lengths.

Super Form, who will carry 130 pounds, won twice in 10 starts in Hong Kong last season, with one of the wins at Happy Valley.

Brave Legend, who will carry 128 pounds, and Let’s Take It Easy, at 125 pounds, have legitimate chances.

Brave Legend has won twice at Hong Kong in his career and was third by two lengths in a handicap at 1 1/8 miles there on Oct. 3. Let’s Take It Easy was a troubled fourth in the same race, encountering traffic in the stretch.