Derby fifth Green Treasure ran into horrendous traffic problems last week at Sha Tin but only needs a trouble-free run to upset likely favourite Summerland in today's ninth event, the Audemars Piguet Dream Handicap (Class One, 1,800 metres).
Green Treasure finished third to Himalaya and Being Famous in the final event last Saturday but lost valuable momentum when strung up between runners at a vital stage on straightening. The Danehill gelding was stopped in his tracks and in a race of 1,600m (the bottom of his optimum distance range) it was enough to take away his winning chance.
Olivier Doleuze is a conservative character when it comes to assessing the ability of his mounts, or at least he is for all other horses. But he rates Green Treasure far and away the best horse he's handled in Hong Kong.
This afternoon, Green Treasure will be backing up after just eight days, meaning he has peak racing fitness. But in addition, he takes a handy six pound weight drop to just 118 pounds.
This means in-form Summerland, to be ridden by Glyn Schofield, will have to concede his younger rival six pounds.
Green Treasure has been a progressive horse all season and has demonstrated on several occasions that he's absolutely lethal if he gets a fast pace. That's possible here, with freegoers Saturn and Able Knight involved.
