After a total of seven attempts, including five failures, the enigmatic Crossborderpegasus returns in Sunday’s Grade Three Parkes Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin.
Although his quirks are undeniable, the son of Rich Enuff has a knack for sparring, winning three of his four starts last season despite his riders often having to finish the race in one stroke as he hung on well.
That character was on full display in his resurgence this campaign, where he gave up his chances by re-entering under pressure, but still managed to finish second.
That caught the attention of the stewards, who have been busy testing the four-year-old in obstacle trials, where he failed five times in a row after returning.
After much endurance, however, Crossborderpegasus passed his two most recent attempts, and his trainer John Size hopes his rising strength can finally put his best foot forward on race day when he breaks barrier 11 under James Orman.
“We haven’t had a lot of experience with him – he hasn’t raced a lot but what he’s done so far, he’s shown a lot of potential and I’m sure he’ll win some good races in the future,” Size said.
“We haven’t changed anything (to get him to stretch). We’ve played with the gear a bit, but just from testing and time away from racing, his behavior has improved.
“I don’t know why he was pushing himself so hard – he wasn’t talking to me! His last two attempts have certainly been acceptable, otherwise he wouldn’t have gone to the race, so it will be interesting from where he goes.”
Although many would label him as a frustrating person to train, Size doesn’t see it that way, and is just grateful to have a horse with such natural ability in his stable.
“You’re grateful to have a horse as capable as him, as opposed to not, so frustrating is not how I would describe it,” Size said. “He’s had regular trials and although it’s hard to tell without a race, he looks healthy and well.
“I don’t know how good he could be – I know he will take more races, but you never know when they will hit their mark.”
Size enters Sha Tin on Sunday with a strong line-up, which includes eventual winner Champion Champion in the Grade Two Pilkem Handicap (1,200m).
After three near misses at Sha Tin and Happy Valley, his luck changed over the distance on his latest start, snapping a 17-race losing streak in the process.
Zoustar’s galloper has made seven stops under Hugh Bowman and Size is expecting another strong effort.
“He always runs well – he’s in good shape at the moment. He’s healthy and strong, and I’ve no doubt he’ll run another good race,” Size said.
Size will also feature solid pairings of Endued and Endeared, with both supporting near misses in their recent starts.
Endued, who runs in the Grade Three Humphreys Handicap (1,600m), is a two-time winner this campaign, winning his last two starts before nearly trailing when missing out by a short head behind The Golden Knight on his last start.
Much of that applies to Endeared, who was an eye-catching winner from a mile off the pace on his last start, before coming up a stretch too late when he was beaten a short head into third in the weather last time out.
He runs in the Grade Three Jordan Handicap (1,400m) and will leave eighth under Zac Purton, while Endued has the first hurdle for Andrea Atzeni.
“Endued has been very real, he has been consistent and strong all season. He is in the finish for most of his starts and is a great horse to race with,” Size said.
“Endeared has been in good form as well and the youngster looks healthy at the moment. I was hoping he could win the last game, which would make his life easier.
“At 1,400m, the overall time is usually a bit slower for him, but he has the heaviest weight in the race so he might not be the strongest of the Grade Threes.”
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