Mugen will be set for the Group One Sprinters Stakes (1,200m) at Nakayama racecourse on September 29 after connections of the emerging sprinter confirmed plans to target Japan’s premier sprint.

Trained by Pierre Ng Pang-chi, Mugen is fresh from a breakout season in Hong Kong with four wins capped by his last-start triumph over California Spangle in the Group Three Premier Cup (1,400m).

The five-year-old made the leap from restricted class to the top level, finishing third behind Invincible Sage and California Spangle in the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) on Champions Day in April.

Karis Teetan, who has booted home Mugen in all four career victories, is expected to ride the son of Deep Field in Japan.

Ng first revealed the Sprinters Stakes was a potential aim after Mugen bagged his first feature win in the Premier Cup on June 23.

“The owners really wanted to bring a horse [to Hong Kong] that can travel and this horse might be the one for them,” Ng said.

“We might think of Japan - the Sprinters Stakes. Let’s see over summer. If there’s not many options, we’ll have a crack and if there’s options here, we’ll stay here.”

For Ng, who was runner-up to Francis Lui Kin-wai in a dramatic finish to the 2023-24 trainers’ championship, it will be his third overseas raid after trips to Dubai and South Korea in his first two seasons.

Mugen can join Ricky Yiu Poon-fai’s Ultra Fantasy (2010) and the Tony Cruz’s champion sprinter Silent Witness (2005) as Hong Kong-trained winners of the Sprinters Stakes.

Ho strikes in UK

Vincent Ho Chak-yiu didn’t take long to return to the winner’s enclosure in Britain, booting home Love De Vega at Pontefract in his second ride in his latest UK stint.

Hong Kong’s top home-grown jockey notched his first UK triumph since 2019 when the Charlie Johnston-trained Love De Vega bolted in by three and a half lengths last Friday.

It was a perfect start to the 34-year-old’s summer venture, which follows a frustrating Hong Kong campaign impacted by injury and suspension.

“I’ve always missed riding here,” Ho said after his Pontefract victory.

“I was supposed to be here for Goodwood last year as well, but unfortunately I got an injury in Japan. I want to do it this summer and I’d rather ride here first and then head to Japan afterwards. I always love and enjoy riding here. Whenever I go back to Hong Kong I always improve as a rider, so it really helps me a lot.”

Ho was unable to strike on his two rides at Doncaster last Saturday. He will ride in the UK for a month, taking in Glorious Goodwood which starts on July 30, before heading to Japan for the World All-Star Jockeys Series in August.

Bowman delivers in Singapore

While he missed out on victory in the final ever Group One Singapore Derby (1,800m), Hugh Bowman scored a consolation win when he booted home Te Akau Ben in the last race on the historic card.

The Australian rider was chasing back-to-back Singapore Derbies after winning on Golden Monkey 12 months ago, but he could only manage fifth aboard Lightning Strike after making a sustained run from second last.

Singapore’s star galloper on the rise, Lim’s Saltoro, led all the way in the final Singapore Derby ahead of racing closing at Kranji racecourse in October.

Bowman ensured he didn’t leave empty-handed on Sunday, lifting the Donna Logan-trained Te Akau Ben to a narrow win in race 10.

Third in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with 69 wins in 2023-24, Bowman will take a break in his home country before returning to Hong Kong to prepare for the new season.