Michael Chang Chun-wai caught a case of lottery fever as he splurged on tickets in a jackpot draw yesterday, but he knows his odds of winning the Xpressbet Sprint are better and the trainer is embracing roles of race favourite and media darling in the build-up to the Breeders' Cup.
Punters and pundits alike are warming to Chang's chances of pulling off an historic victory.
But Chang still could not resist the lure of the Mega Millions lottery when he pulled into an Arcadia 7-Eleven close to Santa Anita Park after trackwork, especially with the Californian state lottery jackpoting to a ridiculous US$284 million this week.
Earlier in the day, Chang had worked his way through a long list of international media organisations seeking time with the friendly horseman.
Rich Tapestry's charming back story and status as equal top pick for the six-furlong dirt sprint is making his stable a stop-off for reporters from around the world.
While first prize in the US$1.5 million dirt sprint might pale in comparison to the life-changing payout up for grabs in the convenience store, Rich Tapestry is rated as short as 3-1 by British bookmakers "and I am more than a million-to-one to win the lottery", Chang admitted.
"But I think my horse should be favourite for this race. He has proved himself here by winning first-up, he is in great condition and has drawn a perfect gate.
"Rich Tapestry is a good story, an Irish horse, with a Chinese trainer and a French jockey. And the first time a Hong Kong horse has raced on the west coast.
"I don't really enjoy talking so much before the race. There is some pressure that comes with the attention, and honestly I would rather speak after a win. The questions are always similar.
"But we represent Hong Kong racing - I want to do the right thing for the organisation and people that support me."
Matt Chapman from English racing channel At The Races said: "Michael's story is a special one and the international nature of his story is what the Breeders' Cup should be all about. Hopefully, his success can influence other trainers to come from Asia."
Rich Tapestry is vying for favouritism with a horse he beat last start and last year's winner of the sprint, five-year-old stallion Secret Circle.
As his odds suggest, Rich Tapestry is not sneaking under the Americans' guard, with leading local journalists nominating him as the horse to beat after his stunning success in the Grade One Santa Anita Sprint Championship early this month.
Brad Free, of newspaper and website Daily Racing Form, said Rich Tapestry had gone from "mystery" to leading light with his first-up victory against a small but quality field.
"He is a serious contender, if not the horse to beat," Free said.
