Hong Kong could have two runners in next month’s Group One Sprinters Stakes (1,200m) at Nakayama racecourse, with Victor The Winner on track to make his second trip to Japan for the year.

Victor The Winner will race first up in the Sprinters Stakes on September 29 rather than defending his Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m) crown on the opening day of the Hong Kong season, with trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing hopeful his six-year-old can avenge his third place in March’s Group One Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1,200m) at Chukyo.

“Victor The Winner is confirmed for the Sprinters Stakes. He will go straight to Japan without a run in Hong Kong. He always runs well so I expect him to go close,” Shum said of Victor The Winner, who has been in Conghua since his last-start sixth in June’s Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m).

“He’s doing nicely in Conghua. I will go up and see him next week and he will trial on August 29.”

After the Sprinters Stakes, Victor The Winner will return home to prepare for December’s Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m), where British speedster Mill Stream could be among his opponents, after trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam confirmed connections are eyeing a trip to Sha Tin with last month’s Group One July Cup (1,200m) hero.

Victor The Winner is likely be joined in Japan by fellow Hong Kong galloper Mugen, with trainer Pierre Ng Pang-chi plotting a first overseas raid with his improving gelding.

While Shum is keen to travel with Victor The Winner, domestic riches are the priority for the all-conquering Romantic Warrior.

After a phenomenal season that included victory in Australia’s Group One Cox Plate (2,040m) and the Group One Yasuda Kinen (1,600m) in Japan, the mighty six-year-old will have his first-up run in November before chasing a record third straight Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) success on international day in December.

“Romantic Warrior is good,” said Shum. “He’ll have his first-up run over 2,000m in November in the [Group Two] Jockey Club Cup.”

Hewitson, De Melo keep winners ticking

South African jockeys Lyle Hewitson and Keagan de Melo have continued their successful working holidays, with the former grabbing a second Australian winner at Moe on Sunday, and the latter moving to five wins from 25 off-season rides on home soil with success at Turffontein last Thursday.

Hewitson and De Melo will be joined on this season’s Hong Kong riding roster by incoming 10-pound claimer Britney Wong Po-ni, who is continuing her education in New Zealand.

Wong managed a best finish of second from six rides in New Zealand last week and has another three mounts at Taupo on Wednesday.