Trainer Michael Chang Chun-wai is only one win off equalling his 2009-10 season record of 23 winners after a success by Golden Boy on Wednesday night at Happy Valley, and new recruits Oyster and Ka Ka's Prosperity appear to be closing in on victories after two eye-catching efforts.
Oyster never produced a bad run in seven starts over varying sprints at both tracks under the guidance of David Hall. He only joined Chang for two sprint efforts at Happy Valley last month with a tongue tie and pacifiers replacing the side winkers and kept on well after a slow break for seventh behind in-form Many Gains, before dropping back to the Valley minimum trip for a handily ridden third behind Spicy Shrimp for his seventh new rider Eddie Lai Wai-ming.
In his latest Class Four test over the same journey, Oyster was niggled to hold a position third from the rear after jumping only fairly from gate six for Lai, moved closer to settle in midfield entering the final bend, eased one-off the fence upon straightening, darted passed Amazing Sky into the lead 30m out for a brief moment before Spearhead overpowered him in the dying stages.
The New Zealand-bred four-year-old is a son of the specialist European miler Black Minnaloushe and the sprint winning Deputy Governor mare Deputise, who has produced four winners from seven foals, including the retired local performers Horace's Horse - a 59-rated double sprint winner at Happy Valley and nine-times placed up to 1,650m - and Champion Pioneer - a 57-rated miler winner at Sha Tin and multiple placed up to 2,000m.
Chang appears to have the bay gelding heading in the right direction and, off a rating of 43 before the mid-week run, the trainer has plenty of room to maneuvers him into a suitable event.
Ka Ka's Prosperity has been a revelation since joining Chang from Gary Ng Ting-keung's yard and appears to have his sights set on the winner's circle after making it three placings in as many outings after a respectable third in the Class Four Tai Mong Tsai Handicap over the 1,200m.