Victory Style hasn't reached the winner's circle in nearly 43 months, but he put the writing on the wall last time that he is ready to get back in the groove.
With the Triple Trio not being won at the last three midweek meetings, the main prize is estimated to reach HK$16 million, and the Gary Ng Ting-keung-trained six-year-old looks a standout banker under regular rider Eddie Lai Wai-ming in the final leg at Happy Valley tomorrow night.
Victory Style has been knocking on the door in four runs over the 1,650m at the city course, but it was his last effort that caught the eye when he came with a barnstorming finish for a close-up second to Soviet Pearl. He was heavily backed that night to beat the favourite, too.
His first run at the Valley was a fast-finishing neck second to Lambro on March 11. Then, after struggling off a wide trip at Sha Tin, he returned with another stylish late run to finish a neck third to Toy Story before a held-up fourth to Super Genki on May 27.
Besides an unplaced run from gate 14 over the 1,400m at Sha Tin when resuming, the son of Alhaarth is going to be fitter for two runs and, with Easy Ahead, Bullish Win and possibly Luminous to ensure a good tempo, he should prove too strong for his opposition.
Happy Go Lucky looks ideal double-banker material. He is unbeaten in two outings over the course and distance when scraping home earlier this month in a strong Class Four and has the tactical speed to figure from gate six.
Easy Ahead, Speedy Warrior, Bullish Win, Happy Ambassador and Super Genki are place chances.