Trainer Derek Cruz has booked some magical assistance forOwners' Glory in the Indian Recreation Club Challenge Cup (1,650m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night which should be enough to get the seven-year-old the silverware. Owners' Glory (Joao Moreira) has not won since October, 2011, and has had a checkered path over the last two years with injury, not the least a stress fracture to his left front leg reported in mid-2013.
It has not been the easiest task to nurse the gelding back to health and form, but Owners' Glory was showing signs that he was getting back to form even before he stepped out for the first time under Cruz on February 19 and ran Ambitious Treasure to a photo.
Apprentice Dicky Lui Cheuk-yin was on board in that race but Moreira takes the reins from gate one and that should pave the way to turning that second into a win in the night's Class Four trophy race.
Although Owners' Glory loses Lui's seven-pound claim, that will be more than offset by the Brazilian's wizardry.
If there is anything in Owners' Glory's form that looks a question mark it could be that he stays at 1,650m and his previous wins have come over the Valley 1,800m.
However, he looks drawn to sit off a worthwhile speed, with forward-running horses like Dragon Glory (Andreas Suborics), Born To Win (Zac Purton), Fortune Bravo, Distinct Commander, Dragon Keeper and Ambitious Treasure (Alex Lai Hoi-wing) engaged.