Francis Lui Kin-wai's Golden Spirit was an emphatic winner on the opening day of the season, and the improving son of Dancing Dissident looks the logical selection for banker in the opening leg of the Triple Trio at Sha Tin tomorrow night.
Golden Spirit had to overcome a poor draw on his last start and was forced to cover plenty of extra ground, but he did it with ease in the end, scoring under a hands-and-heels ride from Douglas Whyte. He was doing his best work on the line in a manner which suggested that he will relish the move up to 1,400 metres tomorrow. With the champion jockey on board again, Golden Spirit should take some beating, but more importantly for TT players he looks a solid banker to make the frame.
Brian Kan Ping-chee's Grand Fighter has been running well without winning, and that was very much the case last season as well. Incredibly, he is still a maiden but has risen in the handicap after a pair of second placings already this term, making it that much harder for him to gain his first success. He remains in good form, though, and must be included.
David Hayes' Refreshingly beat Grand Fighter on the opening day of the season under a well-timed run from Shane Dye. He is a multiple winner over course and distance and, with the stable in sensational form, is one for the shortlist.
Born To Win was a shade unlucky on his last start as he was forced to cover plenty of extra ground after drawing a poor barrier. He stuck on gamely in the straight to finish second to New Planet and a similar effort should see him go close tomorrow. Of the rest, a value chance could be Tekon Perfect, who showed significant improvement on his last start on the all-weather, while Kristofferson and King Confident have both moved well in recent trials.
In the middle pin of the TT it is hard to go past Cyber Gulch as a banker, as he has obviously come back this season ready to show his real worth. He was gelded in the off-season and appears to have recovered from the leg problems he has suffered from in the past. Hayes clearly has him in tip-top shape and he should appreciate the move up to 1,800 metres.
