Espresso, beaten by the track bias when second to Sound Lover last time, looks worth a solid win and place investment in the sixth event on this afternoon's 10-race Sha Tin card.
Trainer David Oughton has been at his most patient with this four-year-old son of Military Plume who had a fair share of training problems earlier in the season.
Oughton gave him a relatively easy time of it during this period and the benefit of that was there for all to see last time when Espresso made good, strong late headway to all but catch Sound Lover over today's 1,400-metre trip.
And with any luck in running, Espresso would have prevailed. The track that day favoured those on the inside and racing near the speed.
Espresso was neither as his racing pattern is to get covered up and come with a strong late run. He ended up drifting back through the field, having jumped smartly, as jockey Alan Munro attempted to relax him behind other horses.
And to find a run, Munro had to bring him out and around horses and ended up making his challenge nearer the centre of the track than the far rail, yet it was towards the rail that the ground appeared to be riding faster.
Against this background, it was a highly creditable effort from Espresso, who was also a progressive sort last season, and an effort which marked him down as a future winner. He may have most to fear from the David Hayes-trained Celestial Chief who should benefit from the move up to 1,400 metres.
