The John Size-trained Red Dancer continues to race well without getting the prize but a significant step up in distance on Wednesday night in the Hong Kong Golf Club Centenary Cup (2,200m) might prove the winning formula, reports Racing Post HK.
Red Dancer (Douglas Whyte) has been second or third at his past four starts and the part of his game that has been meaning the difference between that and victory has been his lack of tactical pace.
The three-year-old doesn't jump cleanly from the stalls, an error which can be papered over when he draws well or if there is a good speed, but means a tactical disadvantage when he is drawn on the outside of the field in a modest pace, as he was last start and is tonight.
Last time, Red Dancer was left hostage to the pace behind Ambassadorship, getting back to the rear and having to circle the field while the winner had a better draw, giving him better position without working for it and allowing him to open a break. It left Red Dancer with too much to do.
His style at this stage has some similarities with stablemate Endowing, who won this race as a three-year-old last year before going on to run second in the Derby.
Although he developed some tactical capabilities as the season progressed, Endowing faced this event with a similar problem - albeit under 121 pounds and not the 133 that Red Dancer will be carrying. He dropped to the rear early from the outside gate in a slowly run affair which became even slower down the back and tonight's race promises a replay.
But Whyte was at his dashing best, suddenly looping the field during the slowest section passing the 800m, then sending Endowing well clear before straightening.