Let's Goal ready to score, thanks to gun gate one
Tony Cruz has kicked clear of John Moore and John Size in the trainers' premiership and should extend his six-win lead further on Sunday, care of lightly raced Let's Goal, who has drawn ideally and should get every favour in the opening leg of the Triple Trio.
With 11 races, the start of the TT begins at race five, the River Verdon Handicap (1,600m) - and Cruz and jockey Matthew Chadwick will be keen to convert a last-start neck second behind Super Horse over this course into a maiden Hong Kong victory for their three-year-old.
The son of Encosta De Lago has come a long way since winning as a two-year-old at Tipperary, Ireland, and Cruz has him hitting his peak after a decent six-run preparation and ample time for acclimatisation.
The colt signalled that improvement was imminent with a strong barrier trial performance on April 19 and, after a pipe opening run first-up at Happy Valley, the youngster hit top gear in almost gunning down Super Horse at Sha Tin last time.
He and the winner both had things to suit in that race, but, from an inside draw again, Let's Goal should be able to kick a goal in the run, and Chadwick will be hoping to score another victory to push his mentor Cruz over the line in the trainers' title.
Super Bobo, who rattled home again to finish third to Super Horse in the same race, looks a real danger with Brett Prebble in the irons, and punters must respect this fast-finishing son of Towkay in his current form.
Fellow on-pacer, Prosperity should also be treated with respect and, with Size's team firing last Saturday, there is every chance this last-start winner will also give a huge sight for the resuming Douglas Whyte.
How Wonderful, Sure Forward and New Leader are all good place hopes and should be considered in selections, while Almond Lee's lightly weighted improver, Able Dragon, looks a knockout danger on the win line.
Lee also has bold claims in middle pin with another light-weight hope Happy Score, who snuck into the placings and under the radar last start at more than 100-1.
Happy Score finished a well beaten 23/4 lengths behind Lucky Nistelrooy over this course, but the run signalled marked improvement and punters will ensure he won't be going around at triple figures this time.
Likewise, Sweetie Music almost caused a boilover against King On Earth when he got within a head of toppling him at odds of 56-1 last start, and both those runners must also be considered strong enough to be fighting out this race also.
Jolly Wongchoy and Bold Tack have drawn awkwardly but should be considered, while Lucky Chevalier has talent but is yet to deliver, and Sohna should not be forgotten after a luckless effort last time.
The final leg sees Wednesday night winner Amityship on the quick back-up for trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai, but the Size-trained topweight Fulfil A Wish looks the hardest to beat with the benefit of one run under his belt after a freshen up.
Fulfil A Wish came within a short-head of causing a boilover at generous odds of 16-1 first-up, but fell just short of holding out Fun Heroes over this trip.
A good draw and a hungry Whyte in the saddle will ensure the horse has every hope of going one-stride better and punters can cash in by making the horse a banker.
Last-start winner Novel Winning should continue to be respected with a light weight, as should the so far elusive Intellectualstride, who has 118 pounds and in-form Jeff Lloyd in the saddle.
