Ivan Allan is back in form following a mid-season lull and the former champion trainer is expected to take home the silverware from Happy Valley this evening with Circuit Kingdom in the P&O Challenge Cup. This son of multiple New Zealand Group One winner O'Reilly has won two of his last three starts, which included a dogged victory over the Sha Tin mile on February 15.
The progressive galloper tackles the Valley mile for the first time but has performed well on two previous runs around the tight course over the minimum trip, which is far too short for his liking.
Anton Marcus would appear to have sided with Master Gigolo this time but followers of Circuit Kingdom have lost nothing with the booking of Felix Coetzee, who won aboard him on November 30.
In a wide-open event, Peter Ho Leung and Douglas Whyte team up with Mastery, who has been in cracking form recently. This fellow is a multiple winner over the Valley mile and ran well in defeat on February 11 over 2,200 metres when second to Magic Hands in record time.
The slight concern is that he leaves the impression he is looking for that sort of journey now but, given his overall record around Happy Valley, he must be given plenty of respect. Whyte would appear to have chosen Mastery ahead of Winning Sunshine, who is yet to miss the frame over the 1,650 metres circuit at the city venue.
Eddie Lai takes over this evening and with a light weight (113 pounds) and favourable draw (gate six) he does look a major chance to keep his excellent Happy Valley record intact.