Chris So Wai-yin has high hopes that Lightness Of Music can make a winning return at Sha Tin on Sunday despite fearing the exciting debut winner might need further than 1,000m.

One of several progressive youngsters unveiled by So last season, Lightness Of Music backed up his strong trial form to cruise to a two-length success up the straight in June.

The performance left a lasting impression on So and champion jockey Zac Purton, who teams up again with the now four-year-old in Sunday’s Class Three Mei Tung Handicap.

Lightness Of Music heads into his second career start off the back of just one recent trial – a solid fourth on the dirt behind Tomodachi Kokoroe.

“He’s a nice horse. Last season, he proved his ability,” So said.

“In the future, he is not a 1,000m horse, but we’ll give him a run. He trialled OK and he needed it – he had a good blow after.

“I think he’s improved, but he will need further distance. He’s never been to 1,200m and we planned for the first race back to keep him at 1,000m. I hope he will run well.”

Lightness Of Music’s sire, Press Statement, was a two-time Group One winner at a mile in Australia, but the damside of his pedigree is littered with short-course sprinters.

He drops 9lb on his debut triumph to carry 120lb and jumps from gate five on Sunday.

The race also features straight course winners The All Out, Majestic Express and Fast Responder.

Armed with a team of 11 runners at the weekend meeting, So has dual representation in one of the card’s other Class Three events, the Wah Fu Handicap (1,400m), with Winning Gold and Master Of All.

Winning Gold is coming off a successful campaign that featured three victories, while front-runner Master Of All notched two wins last term.

“Winning Gold raced really well last season. He’s still in good form. We were hoping for a better draw, but he should run well,” So said of the five-year-old, who jumps from barrier eight for new rider Richard Kingscote.

“His rating is maybe a bit high, but he’s always an honest horse. He always tries his best.

“Master Of All is a handy horse as well. I think after the throat surgery, he went OK. He performed well in his last race [when second]. He still keeps improving.”

Alexis Badel will ride Master Of All, who has drawn gate five.

So and Purton also team up with Circuit Fiery in the Class Five Hong Tung Handicap (1,400m) and Mask Rider in the Class Three Oi Tung Handicap (1,200m) on the dirt on Sunday.

Australian import Mask Rider won on the all-weather on his Hong Kong debut in January when defying his big quote of $28.35.

Manythanks Forever, Panda Legend, Top Time, Sunny Q, Decision Link and Sunny Sing Spirit after So’s other weekend runners.

The 56-year-old is also excited about the upcoming return of Hong Lok Golf, one of Hong Kong’s most promising up-and-coming gallopers after notching five wins from six starts last season.

“He’s come back nicely. He trials again on September 19 and then he races in a Class Two 1,400m race on October 1,” So said.