Allan had a double of his own so they remain very much the team in form.

As for So Easy, he registered a classy Topspeed rating when comfortably accounting for Star Mark over tonight's course and distance.

Last time out So Easy also clocked a very respectable figure but a return to the dirt should see him racing right up to his best Topspeed figure.

Combine these factors - Allan, Marcus and So Easy having the best ratings in the race - and there looks to be a cast-iron betting opportunity.

With the likes of Perfect Timing and Jogador in the race, So Easy could well start at reasonable odds as these two are set to dominate the betting market.

Of the pair, it is Jogador who makes most appeal in terms of a danger to So Easy but the real quinella value with So Easy could well be found at the bottom of the weights in the shape of American Star and Owner's Spirit.

American Star is untried at the distance but he did show the benefit of extra ground when keeping on well to be third to Kwacha over a mile last time out and it could be that he's been looking out for a trip.

Owner's Spirit has not been in such good form of late - unlike so many from his stable - but he has slipped down to a very attractive weight which is an essential part of my Topspeed rating system.

Of course the basic time compared to the standard time is important, but so too is the weight carried or the weight to be carried.

This is where so many other speed rating systems fall down in Hong Kong - they cater inadequately for the weight.

Nickels King (Next Best) should go close to winning the opening event for Geoff Lane who has been enjoying a fine season on the track.

Nickels King has really come to form of late and a repetition of either of his last two runs should be good enough.