Even before Rise Companions was withdrawn from Sunday’s Class Four Cheung Shan Handicap (1,000m), Lyle Hewitson was confident his mount Fun Elite was the horse to beat.

Now, with Rise Companions’ much-anticipated debut on hold because of a tendon injury, Hewitson enters the straight-track dash even more confident three-year-old colt Fun Elite can remain undefeated.

Fun Elite does have to contend with last-start winner Super Commander, who benefits from the addition of 10-pound claimer Ellis Wong Chi-wang, but overall Hewitson’s mount finds himself in a very winnable contest.

“Fun Elite is probably my best, he was impressive on debut and he’s not exposed yet,” said Hewitson, who is sitting on 99 Hong Kong victories.

A comfortable debut victor from gate four on Boxing Day, Benno Yung Tin-pang’s Fun Elite has the favourable gate 10 to offset the 134-pound impost that comes with his seven-point ratings rise.

“I think he’s a nice horse. He impressed me in his trial leading into that race and then brought that to the race and won well,” Hewitson said of Fun Elite.

“He was a professional on debut but naturally you would expect a little bit of improvement. With that, he should be the horse to beat again. I think he’ll run well and he’s a certain chance.”

While Hewitson will watch the afternoon’s two richest races – the Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m) and Class Two Keung Shan Handicap (2,000m) – from the jockeys’ room, he likes his chances in a hot Class Two Tin Wan Shan Handicap (1,400m).

“I’m looking forward to being on Global Harmony, even though it’s a strong race. He’s either been winning or placing when he’s been against the pattern or not had luck but still managed to put up really good sectionals late,” Hewitson said of David Hayes’ Global Harmony, who boasts two wins and four minor placings from his past six runs.

“He just could be a horse who’s on a really good trajectory at the moment. At that rating he’s got a very hard task, but I think he probably does have a few points in hand. There looks to be speed in the race, so I’m sure he’ll be running over the top late.”

Global Harmony steps into Class Two company for the first time after a last-start success on New Year’s Day, with Hewitson picking up the ride from James McDonald thanks to the galloper’s featherweight of 115 pounds.

McDonald keeps enjoying best of both worlds, while Ting is HK$100,000 lighter

Global Harmony is three pounds out of the handicap in the 105-80-rated event and connections have indicated Hewitson could ride two pounds over the minimum weight.

It won’t be the first time Hewitson and Global Harmony have joined forces, but the South African expects a much better result than the pair’s two unsuccessful 2022 unions.

“I must say, I rode him upside down when I did ride him but I think as time has gone on the stable has realised what he enjoys – to be left alone,” the jockey said of Global Harmony, who locks horns with the likes of Red Lion, Howdeepisyourlove, Atullibigeal and Dancing Code.