Military Attack can spoil his stablemates' Derby assault

Military Attack is one of four runners John Moore has safely qualified for the Group One Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby, but the boom import could cost another two of his stablemates a place in the classic with a win in the Lion City Handicap (1,800m), a race the trainer knows all too well.

In 2009, Moore planned to start eventual Derby winner Collection in the 1,800m Class Two at Sha Tin, placed an ideal two weeks before the big race. A first-up second bumped the expensive European buy's rating to 101 and outside the usual bracket for the race.

The trainer lobbied successfully to have the event's ratings bracket extended to 105-80, and his four-year-old duly won on his way to Group One glory a fortnight later.

This time Moore has an embarrassment of Derby riches - Classic Cup winner Zaidan (110 rating), Smart Giant (105) and the ominously-improving Dominant (104), are all at the pointy end of the ratings-based order of entry.

On 97, Military Attack is also safe, but Moore's other two runners in today's 'Collection Handicap', Dan Excel (91) and, in particular, Same World (87) remain on the bubble.

Same World is 21st out of the Derby-nominated four-year-olds and would surely need to win or go very close to receive the sort of ratings boost he needs to ensure a run.