Andy Leung Ting-wah's career as a trainer is winding down with each meeting, but he unearthed a nice youngster for some fortunate conditioner next season.
Golden Chopsticks, who caught the eye in a number of his trials, produced a gutsy effort in the Class Three Derby Restaurant & Bar Handicap (1,200m) on the all-weather track at Sha Tin.
The grey, who arrived on a mark of 65 following a win, third and a last-placed Group Two effort in Britain, settled third from the rear and seven lengths off leader Cour Valant after failing to muster speed under urging following a clean break from gate eight.
He was given a few reminders coming to the final bend and finished off nicely to finish on the short end of a three-horse blanket finish for fourth behind Hypersonic.
The three-year-old, who is by Verglas and out of Exit To Nowhere mare Brazilian Style, will certainly come on for this experience.
While Golden Chopsticks was unable to factor in the Group Two Coventry Stakes, Verglas' career highlight from nine starts was a success over Daylight In Dubai in that same race in 1996 and was also a runner-up behind Desert King a year later in the Irish 2,000 Guineas (1,600m) in his three-year-old season.
Brazilian Style was unable to find the winner's circle in Britain. Her only other foal, Loving Thought by Oasis Dream, was a 1,400m turf winner at Longfield.
The Gold Mines Syndicate has had success with Move It and Oasis Davis, and Golden Chopsticks won't be an exception, despite not boasting a superstar pedigree.
