The Richard Gibson-trained Mizani made it two from two and kept his BMW Hong Kong Derby hopes looking good in the Shek Mun Handicap (1,600m) but there was an air of caution from both trainer and jockey after the narrow victory.
Gibson has three serious Derby prospects in the yard, with Classic Mile winner Gold-Fun, unlucky debutant Akeed Mofeed but how they get there might vary.
Jockey Olivier Doleuze indicated Mizani is not likely to take a path to the race on March 17 through the Group One Classic Cup, while most of the main Derby contenders plan to use that lead-up race in two weeks.
"He's still a big baby, he needs time between his races. He used to run on heavy tracks overseas but here he is running on hard ground every time and he is tender," explained Doleuze.
"He is a very nice horse, but immature and I think he needs to be taken step by step. He's doing what we are asking him to do but for his benefit, I'm sure there is no hurry. He has a long way to go before he arrives."
As in the grey's debut win over 1,600m, there was little in the way of tempo to suit him, but Mizani was well-positioned from the outset, then responded to hold off the finish of top weight Let Me Handle It, who had to give him a start.
Once again, there was no fancy margin on the line but Mizani got the job done.
"Mizani responded very well - Let Me Handle It is a nice horse himself, and he came quickly so holding him off is not easy - but my horse felt like he felt the first time," Doleuze said.
"When I first asked him to go, he was fast to respond, but when I asked him again and squeezed him, he kept going about the same speed. There was no more increase."
Gibson was not committing to any immediate programme, preferring to see how Mizani came through the race.
"Olivier has always really estimated this horse. I thought he rode him in a very smooth, professional, confident manner and he has a lot of faith in him," Gibson said. "We've got options - with good horses like this you can consider absolutely everything."
While Caspar Fownes had to settle for second with Let Me Handle It, he was also thinking Derby with former UK-based four-year-old, Blazing Speed, who struck traffic problems but ran just behind the placings at his first local start.
"Blazing Speed was unlucky and his run was enormous, so hopefully he'll get his chance in the Hong Kong Classic Cup because he deserves it on that run," said the trainer.
