When Christophe Soumillon takes Viva Pataca on to the track next Sunday for the Group One Champions & Chater Cup, there will be a lot more at stake than the $4.5 million first prize.
In the wake of one of the most even, competitive seasons in years - the 13 Group One races have been won by 13 different horses - victory in the season's final Group One may also equate to Horse of the Year honours.
The following Sunday in Tokyo, Bullish Luck and Joyful Winner will try to boost their claims by beating the Japanese on home soil in the Yasuda Kinen. Each has won one Group One this term, with Joyful Winner having taken the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup and Bullish Luck the Champions Mile.
They say an overseas victory does not count for Horse of the Year, but try convincing the voters themselves of that.
Vengeance Of Rain has the disadvantage of time to overcome in his bid to convince the judges that he is the worthy Horse of the Year. He won the International Cup Trial (Group Two) in November and the $18 million Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup on December 11.
Taking the Cup, in the wake of a brilliant Anthony Delpech ride, gave Hong Kong enormous international prestige because it also secured him the title of 2005 world racing champion.