Three-year-old Eagle Regiment promises to lift himself well beyond Class Three next season and the gelding should cap off a fine first preparation by winning the Members Cup (1,000m) at Sha Tin today.
By the sire of Silent Witness, El Moxie, Eagle Regiment (Brett Prebble) looks a top grader in the making next season.
The Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained youngster has run five times for two wins and three seconds down the straight course, and he was most unlucky to bump into brilliant juvenile Bear Hero last time, when he had to concede him a huge weight.
Bear Hero won comfortably, but Eagle Regiment stuck to his guns and caned the remainder of the field by more than three lengths.
It is never an easy task winning in any grade with the top weight of 133 pounds, and Eagle Regiment faces some worthy opponents but, in winning, he can show all and sundry that he won't be out of his depth in better quality events after the summer.
He has the speed to be right with the lead if necessary but that won't be the case, with designated leaders like Dane Patrol and Stallion Supreme drawn directly to his outside and Prebble is more likely to camp on them before unleashing Eagle Regiment.