High Speed Metro is still not the finished product, but gave a nice sight at cricket-score odds in his debut in the Class Four Oi Tung Handicap (1,200m) on Wednesday night.
The Paul O'Sullivan-trained gelding arrived from New Zealand following three trials and stayed on well in four jump-outs at Sha Tin.
Breaking from a middle gate, High Speed Metro failed to muster speed under urging at the rear, then improved his position to settle fourth from the back. He switched into the clear at the 300m, shifted ground in and out at the 250m, and kept on steadily to go under by 41/2 lengths behind front-running winner You Are The One.
It wasn't a run that stamps him as an odds-on pop when he next steps out, but the performance indicated High Speed Metro will take plenty of benefit from the outing.
The robust-looking three-year-old is a son of Sandtrap and Jahafil mare Just Aggie. Sandtrap was a six-time winner from 1,000m to 1,600m, including three Group Threes in America. He has sired 12 winners from 18 other starters in Hong Kong over the years, including the likes of Perfect Style (four wins on both surfaces and courses), Genki King (four Sha Tins wins on both surfaces) and Windicator Power (three wins over 1,200m at both tracks).
Interestingly, Super Jockey, who caught the eye last weekend at Sha Tin, was another black-book inclusion from the same sire.
Just Aggie achieved four wins over 1,100m and 1,200m and was seven-times placed from 21 starts in New Zealand. She has had two other starters - Justa Charlie (six placings up to a mile from 12 starts) and Lil Miss Perfect (unplaced in three starts).
