However, given the strict guidelines that Ready To Win runs along, we cannot accept that sort of no-excuse failure from what we had regarded as a horse of superior potential. He must be culled from the stable.

The other one we are going to let go is Hip Hip Hooray. Having watched his latest run on video a few more times, the same sparkle wasn't there that semaphored him as a coming winner before the start of the season. He's won twice for us, from four outings for the stable, but is now released from duties, with our thanks.

For those who weren't aware of the Ready To Win stable at the start of the season, this may be a good time to provide you with guideline as to how the stable works.

The Racing Post team has launched the 2004-05 racing season with an insiders look at some of the horses most likely to succeed in the early part of the new term. These are the horse that have ability, look to be training well and - most significantly - are READY TO WIN! Racing editor Murray Bell, chief racing writer Alan Aitken and trackman-tipster Clint Hutchison have been joined by the Jockey Club's popular English-language commentator Mark Richards to provide you with a team of horses that you can profitably follow in the new term.

The READY TO WIN team has started off as a stable of 12, with three horses consigned by each of our experts. They are managed like a real stable, and we'll reserve the right to hire and fire with some aggressive, profit-conscious management.

The guidelines are that each of the horses will have three chances for the stable before being released. If a horse warrants one more chance after three runs, he may be given it. Or if his first two runs are too far below par, he may be sacked one run early.

For every sacking, there will be a new horse added to the READY TO WIN stable. All new appointees will be thoroughly scrutinised according to the same stringent selection criteria. If they aren't READY TO WIN, they don't get a start.

Stable additions:

GREAT IDEA (4g, Anabaa - Frisky Lady, trainer, Ricky Yiu Poon-fie:

Great Idea is a lightly-raced horse, who is now approaching peak fitness following two runs back from a spell. He won over 1,000 metres at Happy Valley as a three-year-old but is not limited to that course. He's still in Class Four and is definitely Ready To Win.

AMAZING ONE 4g, Canny Lad - Mad Desire, by Covetous, trainer, John Size: This is an exciting horse who hails from New Zealand, where he won two races handsomely from the stable of Chris McNab. His maiden win as achieved at Auckland's number two track, Avondale, where he ran the 1,200 metres in the amazing time of 1:08.2 - no wonder connections chose the name, knowing he could gallop like this. After one more run, Amazing One was sold to his current connections. The four-year-old has had two trials for new trainer John Size and looks a ready-made galloper. If ever there was a Hong Kong first starter that's ready to win, it's this fellow.

Updated full stable:

Amazing One, Dashing Thunder, Fat Choy Forever, Gold Striker, Great Idea, Kaiser's Prize, Lightning Star, Summerville Power, Sunrise Rainbow, Tiger Ridge, Win For All, Zabebe, Total 12.

This weekend's runners:

Sunrise Rainbow (Race 4, No 3) [with apprentice rider, please note] Gold Striker (race 4, No 7) Amazing One (Race 10, No 2).