Mr Incredible took another significant step towards next season's Four-Year-Old Classic Series with an impressive victory at Sha Tin on Saturday, overcoming older rivals in the Class 3 Shek Sheung River Handicap (1200m). The Brett Crawford-trained gelding, partnered by Karis Teetan, made light work of his first test in Class 3 company to record his third win from four starts.

Returning from a break, the son of Toronado travelled comfortably before producing a decisive turn of foot in the straight. His final 400 metres of 22.28 seconds carried him clear by one-and-three-quarter lengths, although the margin failed to reflect his superiority after Teetan eased him down approaching the line.

Crawford regarded the performance as an important milestone for a horse he believes is capable of measuring up in Hong Kong's Four-Year-Old Classic Series, comprising the Hong Kong Classic Mile, Hong Kong Classic Cup and BMW Hong Kong Derby.

"I think he's proven tonight that he's going to be capable," Crawford said. "There's not many three-year-olds that win in Class 3 like that, so he's an exciting horse for next season and hopefully he'll go further, which he definitely looks like he can."

The trainer said stepping into stronger company was the gelding's biggest challenge to date.

"I think today was a big test for him to go up to Class 3, so I was very pleased with the way he handled himself. I thought he ran a really good race and when asked to stretch, he really dug down deep and went away from them, so we can't ask for more.

"He'll have a nice break now, put him away and have a nice holiday and obviously get him ready for the new season."

The comments are particularly significant given the progression required from promising three-year-olds into Hong Kong's elite staying features, with Crawford confident Mr Incredible will be effective over further.

Teetan, who completed a riding treble on the programme, was equally encouraged by the gelding's latest performance.

"He's a lovely horse. We always thought he was a nice horse and every time he's gone to the races, he's shown it, and today was a big task," Teetan said. "He had a long break and to see him winning like this today was nice. We look forward to next season now."

Teetan and Crawford completed a race-to-race double when Sovereign Fund captured the Class 3 Tan Shan River Handicap (1400m). The Mauritian also guided David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Resilience to victory in the opening division of the Class 4 Lam Tsuen River Handicap (1200m) to complete his three-win haul.

Elsewhere on the card, Colourful King ended a run of near misses with a convincing victory in the Class 1 Pearce Memorial Challenge Cup Handicap (1000m) for David Eustace and Andrea Atzeni. After settling midfield, the Blue Point gelding unleashed a powerful finish, clocking 21.86 seconds for his final 400 metres to defeat Magic Control and Bottomuptogether.

Atzeni also partnered Master Lucky to victory for John Size, taking his seasonal tally to 60 winners.

Caspar Fownes strengthened his bid for a fifth Hong Kong trainers' championship when Verbier scored under Joao Moreira. With five meetings remaining, Fownes leads the standings with 65 wins, ahead of Danny Shum on 60 and Mark Newnham on 59.

"I still feel like I've got a lot of winners in the camp, which I've kept for the last few meetings because I knew it was a very strong battle this year and I wanted to make sure I was very well prepared," Fownes said.

He said the title race had demanded a sustained effort from the entire stable.

"It's been a great battle all season and I'm proud of the way the stable has responded. My team has worked very hard and I really hope I can get this championship because I've gone on record as saying this one means a lot to me and I hope I can get it."

Danny Shum celebrated his 66th birthday with Anode's success in the second division of the Class 4 Lam Tsuen River Handicap (1200m), while Mark Newnham remained in contention for the trainers' title after Talents Ambition claimed the Class 3 Beas River Handicap (1650m, dirt).

Cody Mo continued his productive week when Hong Kong International Sale graduate Super Goldendragon won the Class 4 Nam Chung River Handicap (2000m), while fellow HKIS graduate Circuit Victory and Night Purosangue also added their names to the winners' list.