Red Warrior may be wiser in Country Club Challenge Cup

Red Warrior had a stern introduction to Hong Kong racing on Sept. 5, running wide throughout a minor handicap at Happy Valley before finishing fourth by 2 1/4 lengths.

The handicap was Red Warrior’s first start in eight months. The experience may help Red Warrior when the 3-year-old gelding starts in Wednesday’s $176,685 Hong Kong Country Club Challenge Cup at one mile, 50 yards at Happy Valley.

Red Warrior will be ridden for the first time by leading rider Zac Purton, who replaces Alberto Sanna, who does not have a mount in the field of 10.

By Holy Roman Emperor, Red Warrior has been assigned 124 pounds, nine less than topweight My Ally, who was fifth in the same handicap on Sept. 5. My Ally raced in higher-class races at the end of the 2017-18 Hong Kong season in June and July.

Red Warrior has won 3 of 5 starts. Last winter in England, Red Warrior won three consecutive races on synthetic surfaces when racing under the name Rusper. At the time, he was trained by Jamie Osborne. Horses frequently have their names changed when they are transferred to Hong Kong.

The Country Club Challenge will be the first start since July 4 for Magnetism, a two-time winner in Hong Kong last season. Magnetism was assigned topweight of 133 pounds, but will carry 123 pounds since apprentice jockey Victor Wong claims 10 pounds.

The Country Club Challenge is the first of three $176,685 handicaps at Happy Valley. Later on the program, Mighty Maverick will have his first start of the current season in the first division of the Wong Chuk Hang Handicap at six furlongs on turf.

Mighty Maverick was a two-time winner in June, but fifth in his final start of the Hong Kong season in July. Jockey Grant Van Niekirk of South Africa, who began riding in Hong Kong at the start of the current season, has the mount for the first time. Van Niekirk has won five races this month, leaving him in a tie with Purton.

In the second division, Alcari is well positioned to win for the third time in Hong Kong. A 4-year-old gelding, Alcari won a six-furlong handicap at Sha Tin on June 10, but was third after a slow start in his final start of the 2017-18 season in July.