A jackpot of just under $6 million adds some added attraction for tomorrow night's Happy Valley meeting where maiden Island Spirit gets his chance to break through for an overdue win and can be used as the banker in the opening leg of the Triple Trio.
There was plenty of merit in his last run when second to Chariot Of Wei Hai over the Valley mile, the fourth time in five starts he has hit the frame this season. He clearly appreciated the step up to 1,650 metres, and given he has struck a relatively weak contest does look the one to beat.
The booking of Douglas Whyte aboard The Only One is worth noting, and his last performance was decent enough to suggest he can figure in the finish. He finished second to Phoenix Fortune over the course and distance, after looking the winner 50 metres from the wire.
The manner in which Flying Kenny found the line over the Sha Tin mile on his latest appearance was encouraging and he looks one to add to the short list.
Highland Dawn hasn't finished far away on all three starts this term and can fill a minor placing, while Divine Feeling will need a little luck from a wide gate but is a multiple winner over the course and distance.
The best option for banker in the middle leg is Honour Supreme, who probably should have beaten Our Jet on his seasonal reappearance. He steps up to the mile for the first time but his work has been excellent and he should be a little sharper this time round.
Cheeky has only missed the frame once from four starts over 1,650 metres at Happy Valley and those statistics are favourable enough to warrant plenty of respect.