Trainer Tony Millard wasn't able to chalk up a winner at Sha Tin but came away with a treble of long-priced placings with the likes of Engrossing, who caught the eye with a thundering finish in the Class Three the Chinese University Hong Kong Alumni Cup (1,600m).
Engrossing lived up to his strong trial performance 21 days back over the Sha Tin mile and his placing behind up-and-coming Why Not indicated he is set for a bright season. The four-year-old, who made his bid from the back, clocked the fastest final split in 22.79.
Engrossing entered Hong Kong off a mark of 65, but showed nothing in two lead-up trials prior to his debut outing over 1,200m on February 12. He wasn't disgraced when sixth behind the unbeaten Sea Dragon.
He is a son of Danehill stallion Tiger Hill and Lear Fan mare Pan Galactic.
Tiger Hill was a two-time German champion racehorse - carving out 10 wins and four placings from 17 starts. Pan Galactic was a mile winner in France and Listed placed on multiple occasions and her mating to various stallions have produced six winners over distances of 1,200m to 2,800m.
According to his pedigree and past form - racing 10 times in Britain for one win (on the dirt) and four placings, Engrossing remains one that will be earning his oats over a mile to possibly 2,000m at either course - especially when getting on the all-weather track.
