Trainer David Ferraris hasn't had too many enjoyable moments this season, but Amazingly looks to be heading in the right direction following a pleasing second in the Class Three Lok Fu Handicap over the Valley extended mile.
Amazingly entered off a rating of 80 in April of last season following two polytrack wins and a third over 2,136m at Dundalk from six starts in Ireland under the name of Takapour, but hadn't raced since mid-October.
Just like any other European-bred, the five-year-old has taken his time to find his feet but put the writing on the wall two starts back when a 21/4-length fourth behind One Of A Kind over this course and distance.
Down another rating point to 69, Amazingly lived up to that form with a strong burst to finish second - 21/4 lengths off the smart winner Vital Gold.
He is a son of versatile sire Shamardal and Darshaan mare Takaliya.
Shamardal was a multiple Group One winner of the Prix Du Jockey Club at Chantilly, Poule D'Essai Des Poulains at Longchamp, St James's Palace Stakes at Ascot and Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket in Europe. He is successful father of nine winners from 13 other starters in Hong Kong over distance ranges of 1,000m to 1,800m, including Leading City (six wins), Aomen (five wins), Flashing Aura (three wins), Victory General (three wins), Noble Alpha, Dan Excel, Secret Sham, Summer Dash and Sharema Feeling.
Takaliya was unplaced in one run over a route, but has produced to other winners in Takajan (by Barathea), who was a successful sprinter; and a hurdle winner Takelli (by Marju).
Amazingly should show his prowess over a mile to 2,000m and is worth keeping an eye on on the all-weather track according to his pedigree and past form on the polytrack.
