It seems that the race is over. The horses have run the course although the stewards have not yet posted the official results.
But no one at the track has any doubt about the outcome now - first past the post in the Chief Executive Handicap is shipping magnate Tung Chee-hwa.
Any lingering doubts about this should be dispelled by the Frank remarks from Louis Cha, China's trusted adviser and a member of the Preparatory Committee.
On Friday, the former publisher of Ming Pao surprised many by openly endorsing the candidacy of Mr Tung, tipped to be a front-runner for the chief executive race in the last 10 months.
Breaking his promise six months ago that he wouldn't want to comment on individual candidates for the future chief's job before the actual establishment of the Selection Committee, Mr Cha went out of his way to talk about the strengths and weaknesses of the top four candidates, Mr Tung, Chief Secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang, Preparatory Committee members Lo Tak-shing and Sir Sze-yuen Chung.
He made it patently clear that the shipping magnate was his favourite choice.
Said Mr Cha: 'Mr Tung is very steady and brilliant. His relationships with the business sector are a merit rather than a defect . . . What is extremely important now is to maintain all things unchanged. Mr Tung can increase the chances of that.' 'Hong Kong people like him . . . of the three potential candidates, Hong Kong people may be happier if it is Mr Tung,' Mr Cha said.