Caspar Fownes' comment last Sunday that he didn't think we would see the full extent of Young Elite's effectiveness until he raced at 2,400m was a boost for local hopes in the one Cathay Pacific international in which they have generally been uncompetitive, the Vase.
It's a race Hong Kong last won with Indigenous 11 years ago, when in fairness it probably didn't have the profile it has now, and locals haven't seriously entered discussions on many occasions since.
The first stage of entries for the internationals will close on Friday and the people behind the three-time Arc runner-up Youmzain have said the Vase is very much on his agenda this year, so the visiting quality doesn't look like slipping.
But if Young Elite convinces Fownes in the Cup Trial next month that he is ready for 2,400m in that sort of company and if Thumbs Up and possibly even Packing Winner can be presented in the right order for the race then there is at least a chance Hong Kong horses can figure.
The problem as always, for Thumbs Up and Packing Winner anyway, is preparing the local horses for the Vase with little in the way of a lead-up programme. Packing Winner was beaten just over a length in fifth place by Doctor Dino last year with only one run since his summer spell but that's the programme and it isn't about to change.
Thumbs Up, who looks a genuine stayer, would likely turn up for the Vase with a Sha Tin Trophy and Cup Trial under his belt, but Fownes' need to lift Young Elite's rating at least has produced a fortunate by-product.
The gelding has already had two runs with the trainer trying to get his handicap rating high enough and quick enough to make the cut.