Like others before him, trainer Peter Ho Leung goes to the Hong Kong Vase knowing the lead-up preparation for Packing Winner is not the one he would have had in an ideal world. 'There's only one race in Hong Kong to get a horse ready to run 2,400m on this day so it's very hard, but I think he'll run a good race,' Ho said. 'He did a very good job first-up behind Viva Pataca over 2,000m and was only beaten a few lengths. I think he will be at least 30 per cent fitter for that run and he does have the ability, but the only thing that worries me is that he has to do it second-up. He has beaten Viva Pataca, which is a good form line for any race, he's only had 17 starts and is still improving - Zabeel horses keep improving as they get older.'