TRAINER Ivan Allan has begun to flex his muscles as he prepares to do battle for this year's championship - a title race expected to be hotter than ever before.
The former multiple champion trainer of Malaysia and Singapore has a stable full of handy horses - many of which he astutely acquired himself - and a definite desire to be the top dog in Hong Kong officially. And that means the championship.
He showed afresh on Wednesday that he was going to take a lot of beating this campaign with a handy double, plus a second placing in the final event. That came from old-stager Illico, who had clearly benefited from Allan's handling.
And another of his runners, Ka Fook, finished third, making it a profitable night's plundering from Allan.
Apart from his proven ability, the biggest card Allan will be able to play involves his young horses. He gathered in a clutch of exciting griffins last season, some of whom have blossomed and others who will be coming strongly on line this season.
It is a fairly awesome array of equine talent and there is every indication that more are on the way - a result of Allan's purchases at recent sales overseas.