Rare looks another winner for the in-form and hugely talented Australian rider Patrick Payne in this afternoon's eighth event on a bumper 10-race card at Sha Tin.
The John Moore-trained four-year-old has always shown plenty of ability - both in his work and his races - but he's taken time to get his act together and had a few excuses in running.
But last time, finally, the penny seemed to have dropped and Rare put in a highly creditable effort to run half a length third to the talented Oakland Hills and the progressive Happy Moment.
The first three home pulled clear of their rivals in that 1,400-metre contest, clocking a good Topspeed figure in the process.
In the inimitable words of Lord Ted Freer, who was Hong Kong's first expatriate punter to make it really big, when the first two or three dominate in this manner it is usually a sign of 'copper bottomed form, old boy, copper bottomed form'.
Throw in a high Topspeed figure relative to the class of the race and the merits of Rare's efforts are there for all to see. There will also be a good opportunity to receive a valuable update on the merit of Rare's form earlier today.
Happy Moment, the horse who edged him out of the quinella spot last time, competes in the third event and looks a top chance.
