The improvement record-chasing trainer Tony Cruz has conjured out of Nilometer has been nothing short of remarkable and his rise through the ranks looks set to continue in the Lek Yuen Handicap (Race 11) this afternoon, where he tackles Class One opposition for the first time.
With Felix Coetzee riding hometown hero Silent Witness in Japan today, Cruz has awarded the ride to Eddie Lai Wai-ming and as a result Nilometer should be slightly better value as a win bet.
And that is taking nothing away from Lai, who is a talented but underrated rider, who has won big races right through to Group One level and can get the job done from gate four.
Cruz has taken Nilometer from a rating of 74 to 94 this year and the key to the marked improvement has clearly been the application of the side winkers. Nilometer has won three times since then and on his last start finished a game second to Red Power over the Valley mile.
The move back to Sha Tin should be a bonus for Nilometer, and the way the track has been suiting on-pace runners, it should also enhance his chance to prevail.
There are a whole host of challengers that have strong chances in their own right, including Stay Young, Good Profit, Classic Master, Bumper Bumper, Five Grains and Wealthy.