Star Majestic has been one of the finds of the season for Paul O'Sullivan and the drop back to Class Three looks enough to see him win his fourth for the term in the Lung Cheung Handicap (1,650m) at Happy Valley tonight, reports Racing Post HK.
Consistent last season at three, Star Majestic (Joao Moreira) has been thereabouts in most runs again this term and his form line reads 14 starts for three wins, six placings and a few other prize money cheques besides.
He was nevertheless being talked about as a non-winner at one stage until he turned that around mid-season with three successes over tonight's distance for Moreira and the Brazilian gets back on after Star Majestic was beaten in Class Two last start.
There wasn't a great deal that Derek Leung Ka-chun could do about things from gate 10 as Star Majestic was forced to work his way around the field after being caught wide on the first turn, and he then led them for home. The gelding was run down in the final stages but was beaten under two lengths and the run was full of credit after Star Majestic had to work so much harder than many of his rivals early.
Crucially, he gets a good draw tonight in barrier two after having 12, nine and 10 at his past three and that should ensure that Star Majestic gets a cushy trip through the race for a change.
That draw should also see him able to be handy to the pace in a race where the speed considerations are unclear. Bullish Boy has often led in his career but took a sit last time for Gerald Mosse and it was a winning move, while Winnie's Horse (Keith Yeung Ming-lun) went the other way, switching to a leading role to win over 1,800m on the dirt.
Whatever the pace, Star Majestic is versatile enough to be right where he needs to be and should be poised to pounce when heads turn for home.