It is hard to escape the notion the Jockey Club has shot itself in the foot over the composition of the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby this Sunday and we can't quite work out to what benefit.
Last weekend, when multiple scratchings all over the card saw the club handing back millions in void bets to punters - albeit delaying the starts of races so as to give them time to reinvest - there was the usual wringing of hands and gnashing of Jockey Club teeth.
All over a situation which, more often than not, is outside the control of the club, given horse racing continues to be undertaken with live animals. And we don't mean the jockeys.
Incidents will occur and at those times - cynics might suggest that probably only half of those times, actually - horses are declared non-runners and money has to be returned. That's life and if it costs a little in precious turnover, then so be it.
But then you have the situations which are absolutely in the control of the club and will cost in turnover and it begs the question: Why?
Such a situation is the early declaration of the Derby field last Wednesday at Happy Valley, before Saturday's meeting which would certainly have changed the composition of the Derby for the better.
Let's be clear, Mark Up had earned his place in the Derby field at the time it was declared and was entitled to it. Had the officials sat down to decide the field a few days later, however, his place would have gone to Destined For Glory, who now sits on the sidelines as a realistic chance in the race who most likely won't get a start.