Jockey Umberto Rispoli hopes that his association with honest galloper Giant Turtle (Zabeel) can continue to reap rewards when he partners the stayer in the Class 3 Busan Handicap (2200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (25 April).

The Tony Millard-trained Giant Turtle has won two of his six starts this season, both over staying trips at Sha Tin and both times with Rispoli in the saddle.

“He’s a really nice little horse,” Rispoli said at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning (24 April). “He’s all heart, he’s not very big but he’s got a big heart. He’s a tough horse and so far he’s doing very well. I’m proud of him.”

Giant Turtle has not raced since finishing second to the John Moore-trained Grand Chancellor at Sha Tin on Derby day (Sunday, 18 March).

“Giant Turtle continues to progress well,” said the Italian rider. “At his last run, one horse put me under plenty of pressure throughout, probably for 800 metres, and then my horse probably paid the price a little bit at the end. But it took a nice performance from Grand Chancellor to beat me, too. I think the horse is still in the same condition now.

“Back to Happy Valley, where he is already a two-time winner, should suit him – I know it was over 1650m, but he’s proven at Sha Tin that the 2200m is no problem.”

Giant Turtle, who jumps from gate three in Wednesday night’s contest, has only stepped beyond 2000m twice, and only once in Hong Kong. He finished 12th to Mongolian Khan in the G1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March, 2015, while he was able to win over 2200m at Sha Tin in January.

By Zabeel out of the Giant's Causeway mare Lacada, Giant Turtle is the older full-brother to fellow Cambridge Stud graduate Zacada who finished a game second to warhorse Who Shot Thebarman in the Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) on April 14. Giant Turtle made $90,000 at the 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale.