Ride With The Wind has been showing all the signs that he has a good race in him and the John Size-trained four-year-old looks ready to seize his moment in the Sa Sa Ladies' Purse (1,800m) today at Sha Tin.
A two-time winner from five runs in the UK as a young horse, Ride With The Wind (Douglas Whyte) wasn't ready to measure up when he made his local debut in the Derby Trial in February and finished 10th.
Size didn't persevere, sending Ride With The Wind for a gelding operation looking to the future instead, and that patient handling sees the son of Rock Of Gibraltar with the makings of a worthwhile middle-distance galloper.
Perhaps he was unheralded when he won impressively over 1,800m at the end of last season at Happy Valley, but there was no mistaking the quality of the performance and his return fresh showed him ready to go on with the job he started there.
Facing an odds-on favourite in Vaugirard, Ride With The Wind followed that horse throughout a 1,650m trophy event at the Valley before finishing second.
Vaugirard was too sharp in running and at the finish, but the Size-trained horse didn't shirk the task at any stage, despite conceding weight to the winner.
Better for the outing and a subsequent trial, Ride With The Wind looks right at the top of his game for this event over a distance that will suit him better. He will also meet Vaugirard nine pounds better for that defeat.