Hall's Empire City looks a good thing

With an estimated HK$15 million prize pool, Sunday's Triple Trio at Sha Tin is one of the last chances for punters to strike it big this season and the lightly raced Empire City looks a banker bet in the final leg.

The David Hall-trained four-year-old had shown ability at the trials and in his first five races, but he looked a better version of himself when blinkers went on at Happy Valley last start.

Though there were no real excuses for the gelding behind Private Road when a neck second, he has scope for improvement on that as he is lightly raced and it was his first run after a seven-week break.

Well drawn and, with Brett Prebble jumping on, Empire City should take up a handy position and be much harder to beat this time. Coming out of the same race at Happy Valley, Let's Goal (Weichong Marwing) should be an improver, particularly if he gets a more positive ride.

He was shuffled back through the field in the muddling tempo, but his prior form was solid with seconds to Super Bobo and Super Horse.

TT players will also want to include improving Fortune Six as well as the consistent Super Bobo, Happy Score and Caga Spirit, who went better ridden forward last time.

In the opening Class Five leg, horses like Mighty Feeling and Ambitious Owner will get plenty of attention dropping in grade after some useful runs in Class Four - especially Ambitious Owner, who caught the eye at Happy Valley last time.