Mission Tycoon looking to bounce back in Hong Kong Macau Trophy

Back in February, Mission Tycoon led throughout the $1.25 million Hong Kong Classic Cup for 4-year-olds at Sha Tin Racecourse, recording a shocking win at 92-1.

Racing has been much tougher in recent months. Mission Tycoon was 11th in the Hong Kong Derby at 1 1/4 miles on March 17 and last of nine behind reigning Horse of the Year Beauty Generation in the Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy at a mile on April 7.

Trained by Frankie Lor, Mission Tycoon will have an easier assignment in Saturday’s $334,450 Hong Kong Macau Trophy at Sha Tin. Beauty Generation is not in the field, nor are any of the leading runners from the Hong Kong Derby.

Mission Tycoon represents one of the best chances of the Hong Kong-based runners in the seven-furlong race that brings together local runners in a handicap against horses from the nearby region of Macau. The Hong Kong Macau Trophy drew a field of 12, with five runners from Macau.

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Jolly Banner, who won the Group 3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy at five furlongs on turf at Sha Tin in January in a 90-1 upset, is the 133-pound highweight. Jolly Banner was sixth and third in subsequent starts in February and March.

Two Macau-based runners – The Alfonso and Mister Kaopu – will carry 132 and 131 pounds. The Alfonso was second in the 2016 Hong Kong Macau Trophy.

Mission Tycoon will carry 127 pounds and is certain to attract attention due to the presence of popular jockey Joao Moreira. In April 2018, Moreira rode Mission Tycoon to a win in a six-furlong handicap at Sha Tin.

Mission Tycoon tends to race near the front, as do Encouraging (125) and Good Standing (124), two contenders trained in Hong Kong by John Moore.