John Moore has already shown fans a trick or two with the stock of Orientate, and consistent Master Gunner might be another of the breed to find an affinity with the all-weather surface when he tackles the Lok Sin Tong Cup (1,200m) at Sha Tin tonight.
The Moore-trained Sunny Golf, another son of Orientate, was a revelation when he turned to all-weather racing, and the trainer hinted last weekend that expects another of the breed, Elite Sixty Six, to be adept on the artificial surface.
For Master Gunner (Darren Beadman), the question won't be as much whether he handles the switch to the dirt track for the first time as whether he handles the drop back to 1,200m.
He has done virtually all of his racing over 1,650m at Happy Valley, and he tends to get back off the speed at that distance, so narrowing the start he is giving this time is going to be Beadman's main assignment.
In fact, the only time Master Gunner ran at 1,200m was his Hong Kong debut when he drew in at Happy Valley and railed up from midfield to finish a decent fifth.
With Sunny Golf, Moore was able to take a horse who looked speedy and a bit weak and step him up to being a 1,650m performer - with Master Gunner, the process is going the other direction.
What Master Gunner does have in his favour is that Moore's stable is flying, the gelding himself is honest and consistent, and he has gate one to help him to keep in reasonable touch to the home turn.