Masquerader has sucked punters in with his slick dirt trial displays before, but it seems the former top-class juvenile is ready to live up to his promise - at least on the all-weather track.
The Tony Millard-trained four-year-old produced another smooth trial win on Sha Tin's inner circuit on Friday and looks set for start in two weeks over the same course.
Raced by owner Leung Kai-fai in Australia, Masquerader won the Group Two Todman Stakes at his second start and would have started close to favourite in the Golden Slipper if not withdrawn through injury. The horse hasn't won since, and was targeted at the big three-year-old races. He was stretched to the 2,400m of the AJC Derby and his best effort was a third in the stallion-making Caulfield Guineas.
Leung had Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby dreams for the son of his former star Lucky Owners, but Masquerader was a disappointing 10th first up before finishing last on his big day.
In the lead-up to his first-up run, Masquerader produced two dirt trial wins in smart time, but he didn't get close to transferring that form to the turf. A last-start third - with blinkers on for the first time locally - on the all-weather have shown that he has a liking to the forgiving ground and fast racing style.
The blinkers were removed this time, where Willie Pike let Masquerader work away under his own steam and didn't have to ask for much exertion late.