Maiden Projectstar is poised to spring a minor surprise in the final event at Sha Tin's mixed meeting tonight and continue the good recent run of the David Hill stable.
Hill and claimer Eddy W. M. Lai captured the National Day Cup on Sunday at the same venue with Bumper Storm and the trainer returns with a horse that has little to fear from those he met and beat home last time.
There is not a lot to Projectstar but what there is would seem to be mostly heart because he does battle on - and for a few strides actually looked the winner on his debut in the race that went to Ovation who has certainly boosted that form in no uncertain fashion.
The Lawrie Fownes-trained sprinter came out and beat Red Zone by a nostril at Happy Valley last Wednesday night.
Projectstar was actually three-quarters of a length away from Ovation at the line and it looked a case of simply running out of puff first-up - a view with which his trainer agrees.
'I thought he was going to win. For more than a few strides he just kept coming and he's a real little battler. But then his fitness gave out and I have to say that to finish third was a pretty good effort,' said Hill who holds out at least quinella hopes for Projectstar tonight.
'He's very honest and tough and fights on. I am not normally a big fan of small horses but sometimes they are what you need here. This fellow is one of them.'
