Brett Crawford’s reputation for rejuvenating out-of-form gallopers from other stables went to another level when Mugen snapped a 652-day winning drought at Sha Tin on Monday.

In arguably the best training feat of his first season in Hong Kong, Crawford helped the Australian import notch his first victory since the Group Three Premier Cup (1,400m) in 2024 for Pierre Ng Pang-chi when he stormed home to claim Monday’s Class Two Barker Handicap (1,400m).

Mugen had lost form since his Group One Sprinters Stakes (1,200m) defeat in Japan two years ago, but he showed glimpses of his best in several runs for Crawford before striking on Monday.

“I always thought he was getting there until his last start and he disappointed me that day,” Crawford said of Mugen’s last-start 11th when ridden by Zac Purton.

“Zac got off and said he’s not moving great. We took him home and went through him and found a few issues, so I’m hoping that we’ve sorted it out. On the strength of his win today, you’d have to say it helped him.”

Sent out a $44.05 chance, Mugen was taken back to last by Hugh Bowman before saving ground along the inside early in the straight.

Bowman was forced to bide his time but when a gap between rivals presented inside the final 150m, Mugen sprinted powerfully to charge down the luckless Winning Ovation by a short head.

“We said before the race we’ll drop him in and give him a chance and they’ve also been winning off [the speed] today,” Crawford said.

“So, I thought he gave him a great ride and at one point I wasn’t sure if he was going to get through, but it was a courageous ride and a courageous win by the horse.”

Winning Ovation’s bid for a fourth straight win came up narrowly short, but his run was full of merit after he was trapped wide without cover throughout. Six Pack was close behind in the three-way photo in third.

Roller coaster day for Newnham

Mark Newnham extended his championship lead to four wins with a double at Sha Tin on Monday, but it was bittersweet after one of his most promising gallopers, Lucky Ranger, broke down and had to be euthanised.

The Australian handler struck with Thousand Spirit and Aerodynamics, but the brace was soured by Lucky Ranger sustaining an injury to his left front leg in the Class Four Plunkett’s Handicap (1,400m).

A brilliant second-up winner, Lucky Ranger was sent off a raging $1.7 favourite and loomed to make it back-to-back victories before going amiss passing the 250m.

He was treated immediately by veterinarians, but the injury was deemed to be too severe and he had to be euthanised.

Lucky Ranger’s rider Luke Ferraris was stood down for the rest of the meeting, with Lyle Hewitson picking up his ride on Thousand Spirit in the next race and delivering the goods.

Thousand Spirit broke through for his first local victory when he made all in the Class Four Peel Handicap (1,200m), holding off Riding High by half a length.

Aerodynamics also made all to bag his first Hong Kong victory, staving off the challenge of Liveandletlive to score by three-quarters of a length under Zac Purton in the Class Three Homestead Handicap (2,000m).

The South African import, who narrowly missed a start in last month’s Hong Kong Derby (2,000m), had run a close second from his first five starts in the city.

So’s Mighty pursuit pays off

Chris So Wai-yin’s long pursuit of trying to purchase Mighty Masts paid off when the Merchant Navy galloper broke through in the Class Three Harlech Handicap (1,400m).

So had been eyeing the gelding before his first start in Australia and had to wait for him to race eight times before the opportunity to buy him became available.

“I tried to buy him when he was a PPG, but they would not sell. They raced him overseas but finally the owner called me and said ‘are you interested in this horse?’ and I said ‘of course’,” So said.

The four-year-old secured his first victory in Hong Kong at his fifth start in the city. After being settled at the tail of the field by James Orman, Mighty Masts showed a superb turn of foot down the straight, resulting in a commanding victory over Fit For Beauty by three-and-a-quarter lengths.

Following a run of wide draws at three of his four starts, So was sceptical of his chances when drawing barrier 10.

“Last time he just had no luck and a bad draw. Everybody knows he’s got ability but I wasn’t very confident because of the draw again,” So said.

“The small field helped today. It was a good race with [The Red Hare] and Fit For Beauty. The horse won quite easily and he’ll still be in Class Three, so hopefully he can win one or two more. He is honest.”