The HKSAR Chief Executive's Cup was the race trainer John Size used to launch Enthused into the top sprinting ranks 12 months ago and the Australian handler will produce another exciting young talent in the 1,200m feature today with Tuscan Spirit.
Enthused was somewhat unheralded as a future Group One performer when he resumed in 2008 to give Size his first win in the traditional opening day trophy and a look at past winners of the race shows a familiar pattern.
Others to take a step up in class and become recognised high-grade performers in this race include Sunny Power (2007), Town Of Fionn (2006), Able Prince (2005) and Cheerful Fortune (2003). Tuscan Spirit (Douglas Whyte) is at least as promising.
As a three-year-old, he cruised through the grades with four impressive wins on end over the Sha Tin 1,200m, before it all went wrong at his final run for the season.
Thrown into Group Two company, Tuscan Spirit showed his usual brilliant speed to the home turn, but Whyte knew something was terribly wrong even as the field straightened and eased the son of Chianti out to last.
The gelding emerged with a heart irregularity and was immediately spelled, but his recent barrier trial suggested he has taken no permanent harm from the experience.
