Karis Teetan understands what it takes to win at the highest level and the Mauritian rider hopes Taj Dragon can cement his place in Group One company when the exciting galloper contests Sunday’s Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m).

After Taj Dragon began his campaign in September with defeat in Class Three company, the Pierre Ng Pang-chi-trained gelding has rapidly risen through the grades with three victories from his following four starts.

Teaming up with Teetan – who trialled the five-year-old over 1,200m on the all-weather on January 18 – for the first time in Sunday’s feature, Taj Dragon is set to face a stern test on his introduction to Group One action, but the 33-year-old jockey is ready to embrace the challenge.

“It’s nice to get on a young horse like him,” Teetan said. “I think he’s come on a long way and his recent trial was good. There are a few things that are going against him, but when you have a horse with that rating, what do you do with him?”

Following a Class Two success over Sha Tin’s 1,400m course in December, the five-year-old defied expectations on New Year’s Day to triumph in the Group Three Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1,400m) from 20 pounds out of the handicap.

After settling in midfield under Andrea Atzeni, Taj Dragon showed a blistering turn of foot to finish two lengths clear of Healthy Happy in second, with favourite California Spangle weakening into seventh.

The son of Mehmas copped a 21-point hike for his impressive victory and Teetan, who sits on 40 wins for the season, is hoping for another step forward against the city’s top speedsters.

“It’s going to be hard taking on one of the world’s best sprinters [in Lucky Sweynesse] and horses like Wellington and Lucky With You, who ran a great race [when second in the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m)],” Teetan said.

“The horse is in good shape. I galloped him [on Friday morning] and I was pretty happy with his work. It’s going to be an interesting race. I think if the horse can get a good run and finish well enough to grab some prize money, connections will be happy.”

Teetan and Ng have formed a formidable partnership this season, combining for 15 winners at a 26 per cent strike rate.

International assignments could await if Taj Dragon gives a good account of himself in the Centenary Sprint Cup, with the five-year-old entered for the Group One Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m) in Dubai on March 30.