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ENGLISH jockey Gary Carter quickly made his presence felt in Hong Kong racing when he won the first major trophy event of the new season last Sunday - and could turn in a repeat performance in today's main event.

   The Kwangtung Handicap Cup fell to Carter, trainer Derek Cruz and the admirable Our Pal. In the Hong Kong Country Club Challenge Cup today, the Cruz stable's hopes are carried by Irish import Ace Of Trumps.

  This Class Three, 1,600-metre event is a tricky little contest of 12 runners but those siding with Ace Of Trumps have a horse with definite scope for improvement.

  The four-year-old had modest Irish form, and in ground with a distinct ease, but he showed his worth in local conditions at his final run of last season over 1,400 metres when caught close home by the fast-finishing Lionheart.

  He finished three-parts of a length off a very useful winner. It was an excellent run and Ace Of Trumps gives every indication that he has summered well and fully acclimatised.

  A mile should suit and his lead-up work suggests that he should be in the frame so an each-way wager might well be best as Cruz and Carter attempt afresh to bring home the silverware.

  It's been a good start to his Hong Kong career for Carter and he said: ''I think everybody knows by now that it is a major help to have early winners here. I am not saying it was unduly worrying me but it was just very nice to get that winner last week -and in the Cup race, too.

  ''I like it here and it's been good working with Derek. He gets his horses right and they have really been running up to expectations.

  ''You just have to hope that it will continue that way,''he said.

  Biggest danger to Ace Of Trumps and another Carter cup win could be the John Marshall-ridden Seven Delight.

  This six-year-old is now racing off quite an attractive rating, considering that his best run for a long time was his final one of last season.

  That was back on May 16 over today's 1,600-metre trip and Seven Delight was certainly not disgraced when finishing two and a half lengths third to Iron Horse, losing second spot in the last half-stride to Lucky Treasure. He had hit the front at the 200-metre mark - possibly just a shade too early as it certainly suited Lionheart - but he has come down in the ratings since then and improved in his work.

  Co-champion trainer John Moore took over the training of Seven Delight midway through last season and his attentions may now be fully realised. Certainly Seven Delight's last run of the campaign was easily his best in some time and he had, in all, only five runs last season as he also developed an injury.

  Fit, sound and over this trip, Seven Delight looks certain to be involved. Marshall, who has taken the final event on the first two race-days, has had a bright start to his official association with the Moore stable and it will be no surprise if this oneobliges. He will go close.

  Courageous, to be ridden by the excellent Darren Gauci, remains on a good handicap mark and could be involved in the final skirmishes although his preparatory work has not been quite as eye-catching as that of some of the other contenders.

  It's hard to know what exactly to make of Fortune Ride, who scored an excellent win on rain-affected ground and was then crucially interfered with in a similar 1,600-metre event at his next start.

  That went to Crown Commander but there was a very strong body of opinion that Fortune Ride was very hard done by and would almost certainly have won had it not been for the gross interference caused by Danny Lee on Icy Bet.

  It certainly does suggest that Fortune Ride could be handy today. His work for his seasonal debut has been good and claimer Danny L. T. Leung gets a chance to show his worth. The horse has drawn barrier two and a repeat of the front-running tactics employed by Declan Murphy at his winning penultimate run last season would seem to be indicated.

  But it should be emphasised that the now Macau-based Murphy was a master of riding a race from in front - it is obviously not going to be quite that easy for Leung.

  Joint leading trainer Lam Hung-fie has Planet involved in the Cup race and this Irish four-year-old is no slouch either. But with pin-up boy Gauci held by his retaining stable, the ride on Planet goes to Raymond S. M. Tam and he may require stronger handling - and more ground, too.

  Champion jockey Basil Marcus has trialled Kowloon Might and the horse has gone well although, over the past season, he was a disappointment. He may do something fresh but is suggested only as a modest quinella investment.

  Whatever Mannidear does in this Cup race he can definitely improve upon. This is only the Irish galloper's second start and his form overseas is certainly good enough to have him winning in Class Three. But he could be in need of the run and is best keptin mind for the future.



Carter holds Trump card