It has been a tough season for the affable local handler Chris Cheung Ting-pong. There has been a cloud hanging over most of his horses for much of the campaign and then when he does set one brilliantly for a race, such as Surely Wonderful at Happy Valley recently, he gets knocked off on the line at huge odds. At least there was a little cheer for Cheung from last night's Sha Tin fixture where his Bounty Guard shaped like one to follow in the early skirmishes of next season. Last night Bounty Guard stayed on well for fourth behind Big Saloon in the 1,400-metre second event for Class Three handicappers, having previously run very disappointingly on what was a bog track. The way the Irish import hit the line last night suggested he will show further improvement over a mile and he has always looked a reasonable type in the mornings. He's just needed time to acclimatise and should be fully settled in come next September.