The International Races are beckoning and with the turf track receiving some respite ahead of the big day, the eight-race dirt card at Sha Tin this evening is highlighted by the running of the $1 million Tai O Handicap, where Andy Leung Ting-wah's all-weather specialist Temmoku looks the one to beat.
This multiple winner over the dirt mile indicated last time he is back to his best when fourth to Fat Chance. He was checked in the final 100 metres - probably costing him third place - and given that he has dropped a pound in the ratings as a result he does look quite well treated.
Tonight, he should enjoy a charmed run from gate four and with a genuine pace likely to be set by Solar Empire, he looks ideally suited and should prove too good in the concluding stages.
The logical danger has to be By Instinct, who is a five-time winner over the course and distance. He was crowded for room in the race won by Fat Chance last time, but never really loomed as the winner.
Somehow the handicapping department has seen fit to leave him on the same mark in the ratings even though he finished sixth, while Temmoku dropped a pound for running fourth in the same event.
By Instinct did win last term over the course and distance when rated 74, so he should be competitive tonight on a rating just a pound higher.