Collection's barrier trial at Happy Valley last Friday week was forced on John Moore as he was required to trial the Stewards' Cup flop in order to take him on to the Hong Kong Gold Cup he ultimately won on the weekend, but it did highlight the benefit any horse can gain from a break in routine.
It was a far more switched on Collection in the Gold Cup and that may have had a lot to do with going back to a distance at which his record shows last season's Derby hero does produce.
But that attitude change may also have taken a contribution from the top-grade horse going to Happy Valley to coast around in a trial against a bunch of nondescripts from so deep down in the ratings one wouldn't be surprised to find a giant octopus there somewhere.
As the Jockey Club has steadily downgraded racing at Happy Valley in the past decade, life has become more humdrum for many of the best horses in town.
No float trips to anywhere, no change of scenery. Just walk across to the track at Sha Tin for training, trials and racing.
The benefits of a change of routine for horses in this environment, which can quickly become stale for them, shouldn't be underestimated.