Exciting clash between rising stars Hot Delight and Mr Incredible an early Classic Mile preview

A mouth-watering clash between Hong Kong's two most exciting four-year-olds looms as the highlight of Sunday's Sha Tin undercard in what will serve as a preview of January's Classic Mile.

Hot Delight and Mr Incredible will square off for the first time in the Class Two Santa Monica Handicap (1,400m), with connections of the rising stars predicting improvement second up after their seconds on return.

Facing his first test at 1,400m, Francis Lui Kin-wai's Hot Delight overcame a wide run without cover to go down fighting, beaten a short head by the promising Sky Jewellery last month.

He started his career in a blaze of glory with four wins from five starts last term, while the Brett Crawford-trained Mr Incredible won three of his four appearances in his debut campaign.

"Every time now, he has to challenge high-rating horses," Lui said of Hot Delight.

"This time is 105-80 – the field may be different, but his form is still good. I think he's strengthened up a little bit since last run."

Hot Delight and Mr Incredible have drawn alongside each other in barrier eight and seven respectively, with Vincent Ho Chak-yiu riding the former and Karis Teetan aboard the latter.

Teetan was impressed by Mr Incredible's fast-finishing performance under top weight of 135lb behind Grand Eagle last month.

"It was his first run, he had the outside draw and the heavy weight," Teetan said.

"As a young horse, we felt we'd ride him where he's comfortable and he did not have the speed to be any closer.

"In the home straight when I pulled him out and let him find his balance, I thought he really let down nicely. Of course it was a lot to do and the winner had an easier run and just got the better of us.

"We were extremely delighted. It shows that he's had a good summer break and he's come back a bit stronger horse, which we were hoping for.

"He's got a long haul in front of him if he goes for the four-year-old series, so I think Sunday will be a good test. I know he's got no weight, but it's a very strong race so it's going to be a good test for him.

"The way he's going in the mornings and the way he's taking his races, he's ready for it."

The exciting card closer also features the likes of last-start runner-up Infinite Resolve, South African import Garrix fresh from a big Hong Kong debut run, Aeroinvincible and imports Colourful Star and Kingsfield who make their local debuts.

Lui has two other four-year-olds set for Sha Tin on Sunday – two-time winner Superb Spirit and Australian import Young Archer, who makes his Hong Kong debut off the back of some strong trials.

"Unfortunately the first time we entered [Superb Spirit this season], the race was cancelled and then last time, he was reserve, so it hasn't gone to plan. I don't want to chase getting his rating up," Lui said of trying to qualify Superb Spirit for the Classic Mile.

"Young Archer is a good horse, but he's still acclimatising and first start here, you never know."