CHAMPION trainer Ivan Allan is on record as saying that he does not think he can win this year's title or that he will be too concerned if or when he loses it.
Given the way Hong Kong racing is dominated by handicaps, it is evident that a successful stable one season should be less so in the one that follows unless there is a lot of new blood introduced.
Allan had a slowish start to this campaign, but then started producing the winners and it would be a foolish person who gives long odds about him retaining the title - no matter what he says.
Sure, Patrick Biancone is sitting very pretty at the moment - particularly after a winning double on International Races day when arch-rival Allan may have had his mind on the main events.
But it is back to basic business at Happy Valley on the equitrack tonight and it is at these midweek meetings - frequently ordinary and often on equitrack - where titles are won and lost.
Just ask champion jockey Basil Marcus who is bidding for his fourth straight title. His expertise round the Valley and his plundering of equitrack night meetings laid the foundations for his title successes.