Magic Control was beaten by a good one in Beauty Waves last start and he’ll again lock horns with a rapidly rising speedster when he takes on Wunderbar in Saturday’s Class Two Panasonic Japan Made System Kitchen Handicap (1,000m) at Sha Tin.

But while Cody Mo Wai-kit’s Magic Control sticks to the 1,000m after a win and a second over the course and distance this season, the John Size-trained Wunderbar is forced to race over five furlongs because of a dearth of Class Two 1,200m contests at Sha Tin.

Matthew Chadwick retains the ride on Magic Control and knows exactly what he’s up against after a narrow second to Wunderbar aboard Bottomuptogether last month.

“Wunderbar has answered every question he’s been asked and he’s still on an upward trajectory. The 1,000m could be a bit short for him, but it just depends on how the race is run,” said Chadwick, who partners Magic Control from barrier five.

“Gate five is OK down the straight when there’s only nine horses, it’s not bad. Last time [in the Group Three National Day Cup (1,000m)], the way the track was running and the way the elements were playing, it didn’t really help our cause.

“There was such a strong headwind that day. I know everyone faced it as well, but Beauty Waves was the hardened horse in the race and he’s a six-furlong horse, so he basically outlasted everyone.”

Magic Control carries 127 pounds this weekend, five less than his chief rival, and he looked in good order when running second in a recent 1,200m all-weather trial.

“Magic Control is working well and we’re very happy with him, so we’ll see what happens,” Chadwick said.

Wunderbar is undefeated over the Sha Tin straight 1,000m after beginning his career with consecutive victories at the course and distance.

The four-year-old has since amassed four wins from five 1,200m starts – including two victories over Ka Ying Rising, the sprinter some consider the best in the world.

“He seems in pretty good order. He comes back to 1,000m, so that will make it a little more interesting for him and I hope he’s got the speed to keep up with them,” said Size.

“There’s always some effect, that’s for sure. He’s going to have to be travelling at a higher speed to keep in touch with them, but he might be capable of doing that.

“That’s the race that’s on the programme. The next 1,200m race for him is a fair way away and he’s running in this race to keep him going.”

Rounding out the field for the first of two Class Two contests this Saturday are Whizz Kid, Packing Treadmill, Bundle Of Charm, Tomodachi Kokoroe, Wonder Kit, Dancing Code and I Give.