Caspar Fownes has “high hopes” for Elliptical and believes the exciting galloper can strengthen his Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) credentials when he contests Saturday’s Class Three Tin Shui Wai Handicap (1,600m) at Sha Tin.

A two-time winner from 10 starts in Australia, Elliptical arrived in Hong Kong with a solid CV headlined by his Group Three CS Hayes Stakes (1,400m) triumph at Flemington last year.

After a pair of runner-up efforts in the Group One Caulfield Guineas (1,600m) and Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2,000m) in October 2022, Elliptical was unable to land a blow behind Zaaki in the Group One Champions Stakes (2,000m) before claiming his Group Three win the following February.

The son of Dundeel failed to trouble the placings in his final three starts for the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable, which were all at the elite level, and ended his career Down Under with a respectable sixth in April’s Group One Australian Derby (2,400m).

“He came over with a high profile and he’s a very nice horse,” Fownes said of his new recruit. “He’s pleased me so far, but he’ll have to carry a big weight on Saturday.”

Elliptical was by no means disgraced in his first appearance in Hong Kong, beaten three lengths in eighth in the Class Two Highland Reel Handicap (1,400m) on the Hong Kong International Races undercard.

Fownes is hoping the four-year-old can take a big leap forward when stepping up in trip but down in grade this weekend, with the extended ratings band of 85-60 for Saturday’s race – which is restricted to four-year-olds – meaning the 83-rated galloper sneaks into Class Three.

“He ran well on his first start,” Fownes said. “He came back in and he was only beaten a few lengths over 1,400m. It was a Class Two and it’s worked out to be a pretty solid race. We’ll be looking for a good effort with a big weight on Saturday and hopefully we’ll build from there.”

After finishing behind subsequent Group Three Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1,400m) winner Taj Dragon and early Classic Mile favourite Helios Express – among others – last start, Elliptical will have to defy a 135-pound impost and gate 14 this weekend but he does have the benefit of Hugh Bowman replacing Keith Yeung Ming-lun in the saddle.

Bowman and Fownes boast an impressive 28 per cent strike rate when teaming up this term, and the pair will aim to add another win to their tally en route to Elliptical’s intended target on March 24.

“He’s here for the Derby and we’ve got high hopes for him,” Fownes said. “The step up to a mile is a little bit better for him, but you’ll see him at his best when he gets to 2,000m. He’s got a good future.”

Elliptical represents the same connections as Fownes’ highest-rated galloper, Straight Arron, who finished fifth in last year’s Derby before reaching his current rating of 117.

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Standing between Elliptical and a first win in the city are 13 rivals, including fellow Classic Series hopefuls Fallon and Chancheng Glory.

Tony Cruz signposted the Derby for Fallon on Boxing Day after the Irish import recorded his maiden Hong Kong victory at $69 in Class Four company.

Chancheng Glory arrives on the hunt for a fifth consecutive win over the same course and distance as the Classic Mile and has to contend with a seven-point rise.