Pray For Mir shoots for feature double after feeling the wrath of handicappers
Matthew Chadwick waves to the crowd after winning the Group Three Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m) aboard Pray For Mir. Photo: Kenneth Chan
Matthew Chadwick is hopeful Pray For Mir can overcome a 21-point jump in the ratings and continue his strong late-season form in Sunday's Group Three Premier Plate (1,800m) at Sha Tin.
Victorious in open company for the first time in last month's Group Three Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m), Pray For Mir will attempt to complete the same feature-race double Galaxy Patch bagged last season.
Penalised so heavily because his last-start win came from 17 points outside the handicap, Pray For Mir will carry only 6lb more this weekend and Chadwick is confident he will be right in the thick of things again.
'He's very consistent and he's shown us what he's capable of. It's an interesting field. He gets in with a decent weight still so I'm not too worried about [the ratings jump],' said Chadwick of Pray For Mir, who led all the way to win the Lion Rock Trophy carrying 115lb.
'There's some more pace in the race, so it will be interesting to see how that plays out, but we've seen him take a sit before so we're not too worried about that.
Pray For Mir was not for catching! Cody Mo savoured a first Group race win on Saturday at Sha Tin in the G3 Lion Rock Trophy... 💪 @mattLchadwixk #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/3oIdHXfIZ0 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 2, 2025
'It will just depend how much pressure there is. It's the end of the long season so you never know how the other horses are going to be, either.'
While Pray For Mir is stepping up in trip, his rival Cap Ferrat drops in distance after running third behind Voyage Bubble in last month's Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m).
The pair jump from adjacent gates and while Pray For Mir is expected to push forward from barrier eight, Hugh Bowman will have some work to do finding cover for Cap Ferrat from the ninth alley.
'He's in great form,' said Bowman of this year's Hong Kong Derby hero, who will carry 126lb. 'It's a lovely race for him and he gets in with a lovely weight.
'I would have really liked a soft draw with him, but it is what it is. I galloped him the other day on the grass and he gave me a really smooth feel. I think it's a lovely set up for him.'
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