If Brett Prebble can get Caspar Fownes-trained Domineer to cross and lead in the 1,200m final leg of an all-dirt Triple Trio at Sha Tin on Wednesday night, the handy sprinter will be hard to run down and he stands out as the best banker for the hard-to-get bet type.
After an impressive win as favourite two starts back at Happy Valley, Domineer was posted wide with a big weight last start at the same track as Hawthorne dictated proceedings out in front. That was a total forgive effort and Domineer should have too much class for this field, even considering the wide draw and the fact this is his first time on the dirt.
It helps that there is not much speed drawn below Domineer, and if Prebble finds the rail - or even a spot outside the leader - he should fill a place.
Any doubts about the dirt were dispelled with a nice trial on the surface a week ago, Domineer doing his work nicely to win his trial under a throttlehold by Vincent Ho Chak-yiu, and he should be ready to fire.
After a sound debut two weeks ago on the turf, Clever Beaver makes the switch to the all-weather track and could be a threat from a better draw.
Private Purchase imports rarely strike first-up, let alone three-year-olds, and Clever Beaver drew 10 for his debut over 1,200m under lights at Sha Tin, yet there was still some support for the 66-rated gelding after a set of impressive trials. The son of Shaft ran a solid race in eighth, getting to the line in good time after Matthew Chadwick took a hold from the wide gate and settled back in the field.
This time the difference is the dirt, on which Clever Beaver trialed better, and barrier four, from where the newcomer can take slightly closer order.
With in-form Australian jockey Hugh Bowman aboard, Tony Millard-trained Great Sky comes back to his preferred surface and drew well in five. Sight Believer (Joao Moreira) and Oriental Prosper (Dicky Lui Cheuk-yin) are the next to go in.
The opening leg is a tricky Class Four over the extended mile, where a reliable banker looks hard to come by.
Maybe bank on Win Along (Prebble) to continue to climb the ladder after his first-up win following the Almond Lee to Francis Lui Kin-wai stable transfer.
Stag Knight (Tommy Berry) has been a touch disappointing in four starts, but a step up in trip and change in scenery might help him find some form, while Forever Ahead (Moreira) and Telecom Prince (Christian Reith) are two others you will have to take on trust. Michael Chang Chun-wai's old stager Oyster (Eddy Lai Wai-ming) has found some late season legs and should be included.
The middle leg is a rarely run 1,800m event on the dirt, a Class Four, where China Delight (Bowman) looks the most solid pick, despite a lack of proven form on the dirt.
Some of the trainers seem to be clutching at straws by entering runners here, but include Imperial Concorde (Berry), Spicy Siam (Reith) and Natural Champion (Purton).
