Now pensioned Deep Field is on track for a third consecutive Champion HK Sire title and posted a new stakes-winner in the region on Sunday when talented five year-old gelding Mugen took out the Group III Premier Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin.
Multiple Group I winner California Spangle was sent off as favourite and proved gallant in defeat, leading for home and fighting hard to the line but carrying 20 pounds more than his challenger Mugen proved a bridge too far and he went down by half a neck.
Trained by Pierre Ng and ridden by Karis Teetan, Mugen has been making good progress this year working through his grades to arrive in Black Type company and has the overall record of five wins and five placings from 13 starts.
“I don’t think he (Mugen) was too happy with the kickback because with the showers we had made it a bit sandy behind, so I was a bit worried about him but then as soon as we hit the first turn, he got really comfortable and the place slacked up a little bit,” Teetan said.
“I just chose to guide my way through. Of course, I was hoping for a split but I know this horse has got a beautiful turn of foot and with that weight on his back, I knew he could do it. He kept quickening up nicely towards the end.”
Pierre Ng has lofty goals in place for Mugen.
“Hopefully he’ll be a very good sprinter next year, either 1200 or 1400m. The owners really wanted to bring a horse that can travel and this horse might be the one for them,” he said.
“We might think of Japan – the (G1) Sprinters Stakes (1200m). Let’s see over summer. If there’s not many options, we’ll have a crack and if there’s options here, we’ll stay here.”
A $160,000 Inglis Premier purchase from Two Bays Farm for Upper Bloodstock, Mugen won a maiden at Moonee Valley in Australia by four lengths in December 2022 when trained by Clinton McDonald before transferring to Hong Kong where he has more than made his mark.
Mugen is the best of three winners from stakes-placed Falvelon mare Little Favours, a half-sister to stakes-placed Capital Commander and grand-daughter of Group II winner Twining.
Mugen is the 32nd stakes-winner for Deep Field, who is a runaway leader on the Hong Kong Leading Sires List this season with 24 winners of over $87million in earnings which surpasses his last two efforts over the past two seasons as Champion HK Sire.
