English trainer Ed Dunlop admits he has taken the easier option with outstanding mare Snow Fairy, who will still face a field brimming with nine Group One winners in the 2011 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase (2,400m).
A brilliant winner of last year's Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) as a three-year-old, Snow Fairy was dual-nominated for both the Cup and Vase, but Dunlop has avoided a clash with some stars - and found some others - by heading to the longer trip.
Snow Fairy seems equally as effective over 10 or 12 furlongs, but the presence in the Cup of Ambitious Dragon and Cirrus des Aigles- who beat her in the Champion Stakes at Ascot last month - seem to have swayed the English trainer's decision.
'We can never be sure about winning ... but we believe it was an easier option,' said Dunlop, who also has Hong Kong-owned Red Cadeaux entered, setting up a rematch with Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden.
Hong Kong Jockey Club executive director of racing Bill Nader said Dunlop was 'locked-in' to his decision with Snow Fairy and was somewhat surprised he had leant that way.
'I know he was labouring over the decision and I thought as defending Cup winner he might head that way,' Nader said. 'But she's a versatile horse that can go either way, she's one of those rare horses that could compete equally at both distances.'