Master trainer John Size is confident Young Champion is back on track and will show further improvement when he tackles Sunday’s Class Two Chevalier Cup (1,600m) at Sha Tin.

Sent off the $3.4 favourite in his seasonal debut in September, the former Irish galloper struggled on a yielding track when a disappointing eighth behind Harmony N Blessed.

A post-race endoscopic examination revealed a substantial amount of blood in his trachea, with stewards ordering him back to the trials and making him pass a vet check before racing again.

Returning seven weeks later, Young Champion proved his first-up flop was a minor aberration when he unleashed a strong run from last to finish an eye-catching fifth behind Green N White in the Class Two Panasonic Cup (1,400m).

An exciting prospect for the Racing Club, the son of Zoustar showed considerable potential in his first Hong Kong campaign with consecutive wins and a close second last season.

“He raced well last start. He was disappointing in his previous start, but he looked like he was in his normal sort of condition last time we saw him run,” Size said.

“There was the track condition and he was first up for a long time – maybe six months I think – so there’s a couple of things that weren’t quite perfect for him.

“But hopefully he continues to improve, which he’ll have to if he’s going to win a race at that level.”

After a wide draw in barrier 14 forced him back in the Panasonic Cup, Young Champion can settle in a more advantageous position from his improved draw in gate five on Sunday.

Karis Teetan, who booted home Take Action for Size at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, will again ride Young Champion.

“He seems to have made some progress since [last start],” said Size, who landed a quinella with Silver Express and Excellent Proposal in the 2021 Chevalier Cup when it was a Class One.

“He’s up to 1,600m – it’s a little bit of a stretch, but he’s got to go there. That’s his rating band and it’s within his possibilities, the mile, so we’ll try and see how we go.”

Young Champion was tested over a mile twice when known as Sharlouk in Ireland, running seventh and fourth at Leopardstown. He won a 1,445m maiden at the same track on his third start.

He bumps into another strong field on Sunday including the in-form Green N White, Group Three winner Healthy Happy, Karma, Patch Of Theta, Sunlight Power and Voyage Samurai.

Size hopes to add to his five wins this term with five other runners on Sunday, including Hong Kong debutant Mickley in the Class Three Chevalier Property Development Handicap (1,400m).

Prominent Hong Kong owner Edmond Siu Kim-ping bought Mickley after he won at Doncaster in May and the son of Soldier’s Call followed that up with victory in June’s Group Three Britannia Stakes (1,600m) at Royal Ascot.

While Size’s gallopers are rarely asked for much of an effort in their trials, Mickley has finished no better than fifth in his four hit-outs on the Sha Tin dirt.

“His trials have not been inspiring, but he might be better on the turf and with a bit of race-day excitement, he might put a bit more effort into his work,” Size said.

“He’s a fairly gross horse, laid-back and relaxed, which is what we want. Hopefully with a couple of races under his belt, he might pick up.”

Hugh Bowman will ride Mickley on Sunday. Grand Nova, Must Go, Smashing Express and Sweet Encounter are Size’s other runners on the 10-race card.