There was a sense of déjà vu at Sha Tin on Sunday, with James McDonald and Wunderbar again prevailing over Ka Ying Rising and Zac Purton following a ding-dong battle down the home straight.

Like they did on New Year’s Day, Wunderbar and Ka Ying Rising traded blows in the run home before the Kiwi rider narrowly prevailed over his Australian rival.

However, unlike their previous encounter, it was Purton who tried to get an early advantage in the Class Three Bennet’s Hill Handicap (1,200m) by assuming the lead from gate 10 – taking the field along 0.42 of a second inside standard time for the first 400m – with Wunderbar tracking his every move in second.

After looming up menacingly on the home turn, Wunderbar joined Ka Ying Rising 300m out and the superstar riders could not be separated as they stretched clear of their labouring rivals.

As well as defying the three-pound swing at the weights from their previous meeting, Wunderbar increased his winning margin for good measure, prevailing by a short head as opposed to a nose on January 1.

While those present at Sha Tin enjoyed every second of the mouthwatering clash, veteran trainer John Size admitted he was not the biggest fan of the tight finish.

“I don’t enjoy them that much. I suppose whether you enjoy the battle depends on the result,” Size said with a laugh after seeing his charge prevail.

“He’s a nice horse. He’s got a good temperament, he seems to be learning quickly and he’s got plenty of talent. Hopefully, he can keep improving.”

Wunderbar’s victory completed a double for Size after Golden Rise recorded his first win at the fifth time of asking in an incident-packed second section of the Class Four Caroline Hill Handicap (1,400m).

After the ill-fated Natural Gold went amiss on the home turn, Galvanic, Californiatotality, Sunny Shines and Bulb Prince were forced to come wide, however Golden Rise avoided the carnage and prevailed by a length and a half over River Views.

Straight to Gold Cup for Arron

He failed to land a blow in Sunday’s Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m) but Straight Arron remains on track for another date with Romantic Warrior in the Group One Hong Kong Gold Cup (2,000m) on February 25.

After confirming Straight Arron will not head to Qatar for next month’s H.H. The Amir Trophy (2,400m), trainer Caspar Fownes revealed the five-year-old scoped poorly after his Stewards’ Cup sixth.

“It was a substandard run, but he scoped with mucus so there’s an excuse there,” Fownes said of Straight Arron, who also holds entries for the Group One Dubai Sheema Classic (2,410m) and Group One Dubai Turf (1,800m) on World Cup at Meydan on March 30.

“He wants a trip and he’s going to show his best over 2,000m. Qatar is off, we’ll still go for the Gold Cup at this stage. We’ll see what happens after that.”

Another notable entry for the Dubai Sheema Classic is Stewards’ Cup seventh Russian Emperor, who did the best of his work in the closing stages with Andrea Atzeni in the saddle.

Before taking in a possible trip to Dubai, Russian Emperor is set to defend his crown in the H.H. The Amir Trophy on February 17.

Stewards’ Cup winner Voyage Bubble and Encountered have also been entered for the Dubai Turf, while Duke Wai, Sight Success, Super Wealthy, Taj Dragon and Wellington have been nominated for Group One Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m).

Pierre Ng Pang-chi’s Duke Wai is also among the entries for the Group One Dubai Golden Shaheen (1,200m) on the dirt, while stablemate Apache Pass could run in the Group Two Godolphin Mile on the same surface.

Richards in tune at Sha Tin

Jamie Richards had only visited the Sha Tin winner’s enclosure once from 106 attempts this term before Rattan World took out the opening race on Sunday’s card, the Class Five Beacon Hill Handicap (1,200m).

After settling towards the rear of the field, Rattan World was urged forward by Purton before assuming the lead in the closing stages and shedding his maiden tag at the 11th attempt.

“He’s a funny sort of horse. He doesn’t give 100 per cent all of the time, but thankfully Zac gave him a beautiful ride and he was able to get the job done,” Richards said.

Richards has been enjoying a successful season at Happy Valley, notching 12 winners from 94 runners, but hadn’t tasted victory at Sha Tin since Colourful Baron’s success in December.

“It’s good to get a winner here at Sha Tin. It’s nice to finally come over from the apartment and not get tuned up every time,” Richards said. “It’s only Class Five, but it’s a start. Long may it continue.”