Racing: Lucky Nine pleases trainer

So concerned was trainer Caspar Fownes with what he saw at the Valley that he returned from Hong Kong on Sunday for another look at the horse. Photo / Thinkstock

Hong Kong sprinter Lucky Nine has resurrected his prospects for Friday's Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley, with an impressive gallop at Werribee yesterday.

The workout set aside the concerns that emerged from the horse's piece of work at Moonee Valley last week, when he appeared sluggish and was hard-pressed to beat a couple of moderate partners.

So concerned was trainer Caspar Fownes with what he saw at the Valley that he returned from Hong Kong on Sunday for another look at the horse who shares the world's top international ranking for a sprinter.

He and jockey Brett Prebble came away with their optimism renewed.

"He's coming along really nicely now, he's starting to be where I want him to be," Fownes said yesterday.

"His work this morning was better than what he did on Tuesday. He's still got a way to go fitness wise but he's coming along in the right way."

Prebble, who rode Lucky Nine in both workouts, said he had made a big improvement and would be ready to run a good race at the Valley on Friday night.

"I gave him a nice piece of work over five furlongs and he was very sharp," Prebble said.

- AAP