Alacrity started inside only six rivals across his opening four races on Hong Kong soil, and the Chilean Group One-winning import makes his competitive Happy Valley debut from the outside barrier in Wednesday night’s Class Two Briar Handicap (1,800m).

Jamie Richards is hoping for a repeat result of when Zac Purton rode Alacrity from gate 14 at Sha Tin on April 2 – the expatriates swooped to win over the same distance, albeit in a lower grade – and focusing his energies on devising a winning strategy rather than complaining about his latest poor barrier draw.

“If he’d drawn one, he could’ve tried to hold a spot. Drawing 12 makes it very difficult for him to settle in the first half of the field,” Richards said about Alacrity, who has been ninth, 12th and 13th (twice) in the early stages of his four contests in Hong Kong.

“We can’t do much about it anyway. We’ll be relying on pace in the race and hoping he finishes off. We’ll look at it, see how the race maps and make a plan.

“He’s a nice athletic horse, he stays well, and he’ll only be better next season. We’ve had a bit of luck with the Private Purchases like him we’ve got in.

“Four of our PPs – Alacrity, Magniac, Seasons Wit and Sinba – have earned bonuses. Hopefully, that’s a selling point to prospective owners. We’re always looking for an edge because it’s so competitive.”

Only three Hong Kong champion trainers – Tony Cruz (seven), Frankie Lor Fu-chuen (seven) and Caspar Fownes (five) – have trained more PP bonus recipients this campaign than rookie handler Richards, who is already laying the foundations for future seasons.

“It’s a long-term project when buying yearlings because it’s two years before they’re either strong or old enough. But we’ve got some nice two-year-olds in New Zealand who’ll be ready to come to Hong Kong in September, October or November,” Richards said.

“Everybody’s replenishing their stock. You’ve got to back yourself that you believe you can buy the right horses that’ll suit the Hong Kong environment.

“We’re probably trying to concentrate more on unraced horses now. Starting off on a mark of 52 instead of, say, 63 is a big help. We’ve got to play the game, understand the system and have some luck.”

On the topic of ratings, Richards-prepared last-start winner Sixth Generation lines up in Wednesday night’s Class Three Broom Handicap (1,650m) under Vincent Ho Chak-yiu on a 10-point higher mark than when he won a Class Four event by four lengths six weeks ago.

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“He really enjoyed the wet track on the night he won impressively, and Vincent gave him a beautiful ride,” said Richards of Sixth Generation, who is seeking a hat-trick of victories over the course and distance.

“The handicapper hasn’t missed him. He’s got to take the next step up. It’s hard to be too confident next start when they give you 10. It’s a bit of handbrake.

“He seems to be in good form and the draw helps him. He should be able to get a nice spot from gate one.”