Brett Crawford has high hopes for his promising youngster Mr Incredible, but he will need to overcome barrier 11 when he makes his return in Monday’s Class Three Lek Yuen Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin.

The Toronado galloper created a huge impression for Crawford last campaign, making a sparkling winning debut at Sha Tin in March before having excuses in a subsequent defeat one month later.

He took another giant stride forward on his next start, however, when he raced clear of his rivals by three and three-quarter lengths in a dominant performance, and backed that up with another outstanding win in June.

Crawford has been happy with his progress over the summer months, but he knows the size of the task he has under Karis Teetan when he tries to overcome a wide barrier off a 10lb higher rating than last start.

Mr Incredible’s connections celebrate his last-start win.

“He’s done very well over the summer, we’re very happy with him,” Crawford said. “He seems to have matured, taken a lot of things in his stride and I’m happy the way that he’s put his work together since coming back.

“He did it well [in his latest trial] and I was happy with how he handled it. He seems to have come out of it well and subsequently we’ve given him some grass work here in Sha Tin, which he did well.

“Very happy with him, obviously not so happy with the gate. First time with a big weight and the outside gate is definitely going to be a test for him.

“It’s his first run back and he’s got a long season ahead of him. I’ll have a discussion with the owner, but I would think the right thing would be just to give him a bit of a chance and rather let him finish his race off strong.”

Rated 80 coming into this season, Mr Incredible is one of the leading contenders for the Classic Series, which kicks off with the Classic Mile on January 31.

Brett Crawford (left) celebrates a Sha Tin winner.

Crawford is acutely aware of that long-term plan and is hoping Monday’s return can help add another string to his bow in terms of experience.

“The Classic Series is the plan. That’s another reason to ride him quietly I think – to teach him to settle and to finish his races off rather than doing it the other way around,” Crawford said.

“He’s still a young horse, I think he’s still got a lot to learn, so hopefully there’ll be a bit of speed in the race and he can afford us that opportunity to give him a chance.”

Crawford has assembled a team of seven for Sha Tin’s Monday card, with King Of Fighters another chance for the stable in the Class Three Wo Che Handicap (1,400m) with Alexis Badel aboard.

He is another runner with an awful draw, with the Street Boss galloper dealt barrier 13 – the same one as his return – for his second start of the campaign.

King Of Fighters gallops at Sha Tin earlier this month.

“It’s just unfortunate for him, as once again, he’s got a terrible gate to overcome,” Crawford said. “Hopefully the C+3 course will give him the opportunity to finish off.

“Last time he ran, he made up good ground, but the front runners just got away from him and couldn’t make up the ground on them.”

Elsewhere, Crawford also runs the consistent Island Buddy in the second section of the Class Four Lung Hang Handicap (1,200m) and Dreaming Together, who posted a career-best effort last start and goes for the Class Four Chun Shek Handicap (1,800m).

“Island Buddy is doing well – I’m happy with his progress. He’s one of ours with a good gate and with his front-running style, that will really suit him,” Crawford said. “I think we can expect another honest run from him.

“Dreaming Together is a horse that’s only finding his straps now. He’s coming off a good last run and is obviously down in class now, which can only be a help.

“On the strength of his last run and the way he’s progressed out of that run, you’ve got to say he’ll have a chance for sure.”

Crawford’s team is completed by So Naive, Just Follow Me and Young Striker.