Running boom sprinter Master Eight to three-quarters of a length on debut is certainly nothing to sneer at and jockey Vincent Ho Chak-yiu hopes The Golden Scenery can go one better at Sha Tin on Thursday.

The Tony Cruz-trained three-year-old showed he is a horse to be reckoned with going forward by finishing second to Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s undefeated speedster, with a margin of two and a quarter lengths back to the third horse, Fearless Fire.

That sort of performance bodes well for the future, particularly given he’d already won two of his three starts in Australia when racing as Dominant King.

Ho is sure The Golden Scenery will strip fitter for the run – his first in seven months – but is slightly concerned about the barrier draw after coming up with gate 11 for the Class Three Sportsmanship Handicap (1,200m).

“Nice horse, I think he’s still a baby. He will be better from his first run but the draw again is a little bit tricky,” he said.

“Last time was a perfect draw and we got him midfield in a box seat and he ran on strong. I believe he’ll be much better this time but the draw is a bit more tricky.

“He can be a little bit keen in [his barrier trials] but in the race, he is so relaxed.”

Another talented youngster looking for his first Hong Kong victory is Seasons Bliss, who has flashed some ability early in his career but has been beaten as a short-priced favourite in each of his past two runs.

Vincent Ho’s transformation from an also-ran to a genuine world-class jockey

Jimmy Ting Koon-ho’s gelding keeps hitting the line but he will need some luck after drawing barrier 12 in the Class Four Riding High Together Handicap (1,400m).

“You just have to go with it. He showed a good turn of foot before and if he relaxes well in the race, he should run well,” Ho said.

“It wasn’t a bad run at all last time, probably with young horses it takes time. I believe this time, he should go better than last time.

“I think he can handle 1,400m but horses stepping up to it for the first time, they take time sometimes.”

Ho suggests punters shouldn’t take any notice of Seasons Bliss’ barrier trial last week when he was beaten 26 lengths on a very wet dirt track.

“We still needed him to have a good blow and to get him out there. It was raining and he doesn’t really like wet dirt or stretch out on it too much. You can’t tell how he is from that trial,” he said.