In what is likely to be a fiercely contested Pearce Memorial Challenge Cup at Sha Tin, it could pay to side with topweight Hunting Lad, whose last run was his best for some time.
That was in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup on QEII Cup day and Hunting Lad, under visiting Australian jockey Corey Brown, surged through from the rear of the field for fifth, just three lengths from the impressive Man Of Honour.
It was the six-year-old's best display in months and signalled that he is now lining up in races where he can be effective.
Champion trainer David Hayes, who has seen his stable star win over 1,800 metres in the past, has opted for claimer Howard Y. T. Cheng and clip five pounds off the 137-pound impost. It is a bonus.
Hunting Lad has drawn barrier 10 but does have the length of the back straight at Sha Tin to get across and into a reasonable position which should not be beyond young Cheng, who has delivered the goods for Hayes in the past.
'I have always said that he is a good boy and I like the way he does his best to follow instructions. He doesn't always get it right but more often than not he does and that certainly suits me,' said Hayes.