In New Zealand and Hong Kong, the 4-year-old gelding Money Catcher has been second or third in five stakes in 13 starts, all on turf. His career will shift in a slightly different direction when Money Catcher starts on dirt for the first time on the infield course in the featured finale at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on Wednesday. Money Catcher has finished first twice in turf races, but was disqualified from a race in New Zealand in October 2020. He followed with two second-place finishes, including the Group 2 Auckland Guineas at a mile. Wednesday’s race, which has a purse of $305,810 and drew a full field of 12, is run at about a mile. Trained by Frankie Lor, who currently leads the Hong Kong standings, Money Catcher is in the midst of a good season despite not winning a stakes. On Feb. 27, Money Catcher was third by two lengths in the $1.53 million Hong Kong Classic Cup for 4-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on turf. On March 20, Money Catcher was third by 2 1/2 lengths in the $3.07 million Hong Kong Derby for 4-year-olds at 1 1/4 miles on turf. :: Hong Kong: Free PPs, picks, analysis, replays, and live streaming In both races, Money Catcher was closer in the stretch than at the wire, suggesting this shorter race may be a better fit. Money Catcher was third by three-quarters of a length in a Class 2 handicap at 1 1/8 miles at Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong on April 6, racing in a stalking position throughout. In Wednesday’s race, also a Class 2 event, Money Catcher could get a favorable trip as a stalker if contenders such as Kings Shield and Telecom Fighters take their usual position near the front. Kings Shield, a 7-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding by Scat Daddy, began his career in England with trainer John Gosden, and has won 4 of 30 starts in Hong Kong, with all the wins on the dirt track at Sha Tin. Kings Shield is winless in four starts since a Class 2 win at about a mile at Sha Tin last October, a span that includes a seventh as a longshot in the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup at a mile at Sha Tin on Jan. 23. Telecom Fighters, the mount of second-leading rider Zac Purton, has been fourth in his last two starts, including a loss by 2 ¾ lengths in a dirt race at about a mile on March 6, when he bumped repeatedly with a rival in the opening furlongs. Sha Tin has a nine-race program on Wednesday, beginning at 6:45 a.m. Eastern, or 3:45 a.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com. Senor Toba goes the distance in Queen Mother Senor Toba, second by a short head in the Group 1 Queensland Derby in Australia last May, won his group stakes debut in Hong Kong in Sunday’s Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup at 1 1/2 miles on turf at Sha Tin Racecourse. Senor Toba ($3.20 ) closed from fourth in a field of five under leading rider Joao Moreira to take the lead in the final furlong. Senor Toba finished two lengths in front of 4-1 Butterfield, who was a neck in front of 7-1 Enjoying. A 4-year-old Australian-bred gelding, Senor Toba has won two of six starts since arriving in Hong Kong last summer. On March 20, Senor Toba finished fourth in the $3.07 million Hong Kong Derby for 4-year-olds at 1 1/4 miles at Sha Tin. Trainer Caspar Fownes told Hong Kong publicity that Senor Toba will be considered for the Group 1 Champions and Chater Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Sha Tin on May 22.