The David Ferraris-trained Liberator is set to free up an estimated HK$2 million Triple Trio dividend on Sunday at Sha Tin and makes an ideal banker play in the middle leg.
After a devastating 5 1/4-length win over the Sha Tin 1,800m and the in-form Redoute Star - who chalked up his third win for the season at Happy Valley on Wednesday - Liberator will take a power of beating dropping back to the mile.
Tye Angland, in red-hot form himself, rated the Encosta De Lago gelding to perfection on the good-to-yielding surface, camping near the speed before driving him clear in the straight and to one of the biggest winning margins of the season.
That Liberator established such a margin over a subsequent winner is all the more impressive and, with Ferraris electing to pinch a few pounds off the handicapper with 10-pound claimer Vincent Ho Chak-yiu, there is no reason the HK$5 million International Sale Graduate won't reproduce that form.
From barrier two, Ho should be able to copy Angland's ride and have the gelding positioned on the speed, with the tactics likely to make use of the youngster's weight claim by setting an honest tempo early.
Topweight Splendid Champion is also dropping back to the mile for trainer Tony Cruz after finishing fifth over 1,800m behind Ho Wongchoy last start at Happy Valley and, with Felix Coetzee in the saddle from barrier four, the gelding should not be dismissed lightly.