RISING star Dashing can give English rider Dean McKeown his first Hong Kong winner at Sha Tin today and confirm the great promise shown in his first campaign in the territory last season.
If ever a horse was aptly-named, it is this strapping New Zealand chestnut whose striking looks are matched by his on-course performances which resulted in three wins and two seconds from five starts last season.
You really cannot get much better than that in Hong Kong's competitive racing environment and trainer Geoff Lane, who must rate this as one of his most astute purchases, is expecting big things this season.
And there is no reason why the versatile Dashing will not confirm today that he could be vying for the sprint crown at the end of the season - even though two of his last three victories were over the mile trip.
Dashing is a superbly athletic type and has the look of a quality sprinter, although he was quite easily able to take longer races last season.
Whichever way Lane may choose to send him this season this pipe-opening 1,200-metre event looks just right.