Ethan Brown is looking to remain unbeaten aboard Endued when they seek back-to-back wins in the Class Three Sight Winner Handicap (1,600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Brown will aim to go out with a bang when he rides at his final meeting for his three-month stint in Hong Kong, with a careless riding suspension ruling the Australian jockey out of Wednesday’s season finale at Happy Valley.
Brown is hoping to capitalise on the nine wins he has enjoyed during the term as he eyes a return to Hong Kong in the future.
“As much as I wanted to ride on the Wednesday, there is a small positive that I’m able to go home and see family a couple of days sooner. So I’m looking forward to that, but I’ve really enjoyed my time in Hong Kong, and I can’t wait to get back here to be honest,” Brown said.
“The longer I’ve been here, the more I’ve enjoyed it, and that’s just naturally getting the hang of the place and meeting new people – I’ve got a bit more comfortable as my time’s gone on.”
The John Size-trained Endued headlines Brown’s chances as they seek to back up their last-start win, which saw the Deep Field galloper hit the line strongly when beating Big Return by three quarters of a length.
Sunday sees the pair jump from barrier eight carrying top weight of 135lb, however the four-year-old has put in consistent performances from wide draws throughout the season.
“He did have a lot of favours, but it was a strong win. I’m looking forward to riding him again, that’s for sure. He’s got a little bit of a sticky draw, but hopefully we can overcome that,” Brown said.
“He felt good last start, he felt strong to the line – it’s not easy going up in weight, but hopefully he can overcome that too. He’s a nice enough horse and if we get the right breaks from the awkward draw, he’s going to be right in it.”
Brown has been on board for both of Titan Pegasus’ starts in Hong Kong and will be in the saddle once again for the Class Three All You Wish Handicap (1,400m).
The David Eustace-trained Deep Field galloper was a Group Three winner in Australia pre-import when taking out the Blue Diamond Prelude (1,100m), and should appreciate the step up in distance following a strong lead-up trial.
“He’s progressed in both of his runs. He’s got an average draw, which isn’t going to help our cause, but he’ll run well. He trialled well the other day by the looks of it and knowing how Dave trains he’ll improve again. He’s a horse who I think is really going to take a lot out of these first three runs this season, and he’ll come back a much more furnished galloper next season,” Brown said.
Brown and Eustace also combine in the Class Four Solar Hei Hei Handicap (1,600m) with Vivacious Win, who has been racing well at Happy Valley and seeks his second career win.
“I was lucky to pick him up, his form is good for this race I believe – just another barrier draw which isn’t too kind for us. But nothing’s impossible and I think he’s a horse who’s got enough ability, and if he gets that soft run, he can overcome that,” Brown said.
Brown will be looking to go one better aboard Harold Win in the first section of the Class Four Medic Kingdom Handicap (1,400m), after placing second last start behind Master Lucky at his first ride on the consistent Lui-trained galloper.
The pair will need to overcome the outside draw of 14 and top weight of 135lb, however Brown believes there is plenty of upside for the five-year-old.
“That form will hold up well, I think, for this race. He’s a good hope, he’s just going to have to overcome another wide barrier draw but he’s got some early pace. If we can get across and get a soft run, wherever he is the first half of the field, he should give a sight and look a chance at some point into the straight,” Brown said.
“He’s got a good attitude, and he does have a high cruising speed. He felt a bit sharper in his track work than he did before his previous run. So there’s a lot of positives, we’ve just got to overcome the wide draw,”
Brown’s book of rides on Sunday also includes Flash Current, Here Comes Plutus and Spirited Steed.
