He has enjoyed a career-best start to the season and now Matthew Chadwick has his sights set on Group Three spoils, with the 34-year-old set to partner the exciting Magic Control in Tuesday’s Group Three National Day Cup (1,000m).

Chadwick claimed five victories in September for the first time in his career and will have a good chance of adding to his winning tally when the Cody Mo Wai-kit-trained sprinter lines up in a fascinating nine-runner contest at Sha Tin.

While Magic Control failed to get off the mark on his sole start for Jamie Richards last season, the Australian Group Three winner blazed a trail on his stable debut for Mo to land the Class Three Lok Wah Handicap (1,000m) by a cosy length earlier this month.

The youngster dictated proceedings throughout and kept on well under minimal pressure from Chadwick, covering the final 400m over six lengths quicker than standard time to stop the clock in 55.74 seconds.

“He won really well last time, his time was good and he carried the weight well,” Chadwick said.

Known as Archo Nacho during his pre-import career, the son of Sioux Nation arrived in Hong Kong with an impressive CV.

He won three of his five starts in Australia under the tutelage of Matt Laurie, including the Group Three Red Anchor Stakes (1,200m) at Moonee Valley and a hot edition of the Listed Poseidon Stakes (1,100m) down the Flemington straight.

While the start of his career in Hong Kong did not go entirely to plan – he got loose before his first scheduled trial and lost two front shoes when jumping out of the gates in a trial in May – Magic Control bounced back with a promising trial win last month.

He went from pillar to post down the Sha Tin straight to beat home subsequent Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m) winner Ka Ying Rising, before getting off the mark in the city at start two.

“He’s really improved since he’s come to Cody’s,” Chadwick said. “When he first came he was hot and sweaty during the trials.

“He was much better during race day. Hopefully we can see him improve again and hopefully it all goes to plan.”

Magic Control will jump from barrier six under the in-form Chadwick, who added to his early season haul with potential improver Pray For Mir on Saturday.

“I thought I’d have a slightly better day to be honest but Pray For Mir has been knocking on the door a bit and last season he showed he had some ability,” Chadwick said. “Hopefully we can have a few more [winners].”

Magic Control will race from 13 pounds outside the handicap in a contest featuring reigning Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) victor Invincible Sage.

Regular jockey Hugh Bowman is booked to partner Invincible Sage in his first run of the campaign, but the star Australian must first overcome an ear issue that is affecting his balance.

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