Brett Crawford is optimistic Encountered will continue his top form in Sunday’s Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1,800m), but the South African handler has one slight reservation for his first runner in a Hong Kong Group race.

Fresh from bagging his first Happy Valley winner courtesy of Speedy Smartie on Wednesday night, Crawford hopes to celebrate a more significant first when Encountered takes on the likes of Group One performer Beauty Joy and Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) heroes Cap Ferrat and Massive Sovereign on Sunday.

The winner of the 2023 Ladies’ Purse for Manfred Man Ka-leung, Encountered has finished powerfully to run second to Lo Rider and third to Speed Dragon at the Valley on his two starts for Crawford.

However, Crawford is concerned a firm Sha Tin track could be a disadvantage for the six-year-old.

“In my opinion, he’s in really good form. I’m really happy with him. He’s had a good prep leading into this race,” Crawford said.

“My only little concern with him is I hope the ground isn’t too firm for him due to the fact they’ve put the winter grass in. The grass cover is still coming through so that’s my only concern. From a well-being point of view, I could not be happier with him.

“He’s got a light weight [115lb] so that fits well for Karis [Teetan] – he knows him well.”

Teetan, who teamed up with Crawford for several feature successes in South Africa, will bid for back-to-back victories in the Ladies’ Purse after booting home Ensued last year.

The Mauritian jockey also won the HK$4.2 million contest on Horse Of Fortune in 2016.

Crawford’s hopes for a good draw for Encountered were dashed when the son of Churchill was dealt barrier 11 on Thursday.

Last season’s Classic Cup (1,800m) winner Rubylot (barrier 14), reigning Derby winner Cap Ferrat (13), Bundle Award (12) and Beauty Joy (10) also copped wide draws.

Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s consistent galloper Happy Together drew ideally in gate six and will be ridden by Alexis Badel, who hops back on after Teetan was aboard him last start.

Badel rode Happy Together in 21 consecutive runs, which included victory in last year’s Group Three January Cup (1,800m), but hopped off to ride emerging star My Wish to victory in the Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m).

Happy Together was beaten just under four lengths in seventh and Lor is hopeful of an improved result on Sunday.

“Alexis rides this horse really, really well, so I think we can get a different result because he knows the horse,” said Lor, who won the Ladies’ Purse with Money Catcher in 2022.

“Last start, Karis was following the winner but he just couldn’t sprint with that horse.”

Lor has opted to reapply a hood to Happy Together’s gear for Sunday.

The handler will also be represented in the race by Sword Point, who is better known as a dirt performer but did run a game fourth in last year’s Ladies’ Purse.

“Last time I was a bit disappointed,” Lor said of Sword Point’s first-up run when last of 14 in the Sha Tin Trophy.

“I put the visor on him, but he still wasn’t quick enough to go forward. I’m expecting a bit better from him.”

British jockey David Probert will ride Sword Point, who has drawn barrier seven.

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