While for a time Douglas Whyte was unsure if stable star Russian Emperor would ever race again, the South African trainer is now hopeful the son of Galileo will line up in the Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m) on January 21.

Withdrawn from the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) after vets weren’t happy with his scan results – his vet record lists a “left front fetlock injury” on November 30 – Russian Emperor then underwent a second set of tests last Wednesday and connections have been given the green light to continue racing the seven-year-old.

“He had a CT scan and an MRI [before the Hong Kong International Races] and obviously they weren’t fully happy with some of the results,” Whyte said.

“Those were sent off to specialists in three countries for three individual opinions and with a second set [of results] now after not galloping for a certain amount of time and having all medication out of his system, we’ve been given the green light.

“There’s changes that have gone on in his joints and he’s very arthritic. He’s a horse that needs to be managed, which we’ve been doing for the past two years.

“As long as we can keep managing that and he’s not deteriorating, which he’s not, then he’s good to go.”

Whyte has kept Russian Emperor ticking over since his last gallop on November 27 and is confident the three-time Group One winner is fit enough to run in the Stewards’ Cup should he respond well to an upcoming trial.

“The reports have come as positive as you’d want them. He’s going to gallop on the turf [on Tuesday] – I’ll be on him – and he’ll trial the following Tuesday,” Whyte said.

Ng continues winning spree with maiden Group success: ‘It’s a dream come true’

“He’s going to be back in full work. He hasn’t missed a day, he’s kept cantering and he’s kept his fitness level up, and I’m just glad we’ve got the go ahead now and I can crack on.

“We’ll see how he goes in the trial next week. If he trials well and I can get the Stewards’ Cup into him, he’ll be running. He needs a race and he’s fresh and he’s healthy.”

Triumphant in the past two editions of the Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m), Russian Emperor ran sixth in last year’s Stewards’ Cup before travelling to Qatar and winning the H.H. The Amir Trophy (2,400m) three weeks later.

Golden Sixty on the mend

Francis Lui Kin-wai is confident Golden Sixty will race again, with the veteran handler confirming his eight-year-old superstar is already on the mend after suffering an injury last week.

Lui revealed on Friday that vets had discovered “a little bit of filling and a little bit of heat” in Golden Sixty’s left fore, but the 10-time Group One winner has already started trotting again.

“The vet has said he can trot for three or four weeks because they can’t find any serious problem. For safety’s sake, I don’t want to take any risks. Touchwood, it’s not a major problem,” Lui said.

Golden Sixty has been ruled out of the Stewards’ Cup and Lui offered only a “maybe” when asked if his champ could go first-up into his Group One Champions Mile defence on April 28.

Yung’s lucky start to 2024

Benno Yung Tin-pang snared the first winner of 2024 at Sha Tin on Monday, with things lining up perfectly for Eighty Light Years in the first section of the Class Four Flame Tree Handicap (1,200m).

Urged to the lead from the inside alley under apprentice Ellis Wong Chi-wang, Eighty Light Years then controlled proceedings on his way to a comfortable victory as the $2.35 favourite.

“Lucky number one – January 1, barrier one, horse number one and he’s leading. One, one, one, one,” Yung said after Eighty Light Years broke his Hong Kong maiden at start seven. “It’s a good start to the year.”

After two recent placings under Jerry Chau Chun-lok, Yung turned to 10-pound claimer Wong and was pleased to see the young jockey deliver the goods.

“The 10 pounds was a big help. His last two runs weren’t bad but he didn’t kick as I expected him to. That’s why I put the 10-pound claimer on, because the weight just stopped him a bit. Ellis did a good job,” Yung said after Wong rode his fourth winner of the season and first since November 11.

Yung went onto bookend the New Year’s Day card thanks to victory of the in-form Fun Together in the second section of the Class Three Chinese Banyan Handicap (1,400m).

Sent off at $6.5 after consecutive Class Four victories at the course and distance, Fun Together made light work of his hat-trick attempt.

Settled just off leader Super Winner by Chau, Fun Together picked up nicely when asked in the home straight and crossed the line half a length clear of runner up Beauty Fit.

“It’s been going well and I’m very happy with the double,” Yung said after taking his 2023-24 tally to 13.

“Fun Together keeps improving. He got a nice position, but I was a little bit worried. When the pace slowed, he was a bit keen, but Jerry handled him very well and kept control of the horse.”