David Hall's crafty decision to run the speedy Silent Dragon out of his class and call on apprentice Marco Chui Kwan-lai looks set to reap rewards in the Sheung Wan Handicap (1,000m) at Sha Tin this afternoon.
Silent Dragon is eligible to run in a Class Three event off a rating of 80, but he is attractively placed in the higher grade - with Chui's five-pound allowance, he will carry the postage stamp weight of 110 pounds.
This son of former United Arab Emirates champion sprinter Faltaat has always showed above-average ability, and turned in the performance of his career two starts back when dishing out a comprehensive beating to his rivals over this course and distance.
He was sent out a short-priced favourite at his next outing, but appeared to be anchored under the steadier of 133 pounds and could only manage a third placing behind High Mark, a gelding he meets on 12-pound better terms this time around.
Hall has kept Silent Dragon nice and fresh for his first-up assignment, and the five-year-old looked in fine fettle when dashing up 400m on September 4 with the handy My Choice, the pair recording a sizzling 21.5 seconds, despite not being let off the bit.
Silent Dragon looks a strong chance to control the race from the front and, with such an advantage at the weights, he should be able to record his fourth victory.
His main stumbling block will be course and distance specialist Warrior, who has also been making a strong impression in early morning workouts at Sha Tin.
