The Hong Kong Jockey Club has assured the season-opening Triple Trio goes off with a bang, a substantial pool top-up creating an estimated HK$30 million dividend, and Ricky Yiu Poon-fai's straight-track speedster Jade Christy can help procure a portion of the prize tomorrow.
Jade Christy returns in the lucrative TT's middle leg - a 1,000m Class Four dash - with the advantage of the extreme outside gate and application of blinkers adding confidence to his case as banker.
Zac Purton takes the ride; he guided the son of Danehill Dancer to a debut win last November, in a manner which had many expecting the athletic gelding to progress further through the grades. Jade Christy lost his way a touch through the middle part of the season though, struggling to cope with the sudden ratings rise brought about by the impressive first-up victory.
Back to 1,000m late last term, he showed glimpses of that promise, a couple of placings reassuring his connections, as did a strong trial in the shades.
The pre-season trials have revealed some worthy competition to Jade Christy, three in particular who are likely to improve as four-year-olds: Kowloon East King (Andreas Suborics), Duo Glory (Keith Yeug Ming-lun) and Solar Spirit (Brett Prebble).
Include them, and consider another from the trials - Hinyuen Paladin (Alvin Ng Ka-chun).
The opening leg Class Five (1,400m) is relatively strong for the bottom grade, and the faith of punters will be tested by the costly Gorgeous Life (Douglas Whyte).
Peter Ng Bik-kuen had this six-year-old headed in the right direction after a mid-season transfer, but the gelding is also earning a reputation for being weak in a finish. At least in Class Five he's not alone when it comes to being delicate, and drawing barrier two and the booking of Whyte, who will ride one pound over the allotted 117, make him the logical banking option.
Whyte can settle behind the speed; Epee De Hua (Richard Fourie) and Young Supreme (Yeung) will vie for the lead from gates four and five. Both of the front-runners should be included, Epee De Hua is a good early season performer, while Almond Lee improved Young Supreme last term.
Also include Alp's Glory (Tye Angland), Potential (Vincent Ho Chak-yiu) and Mega Posh (Eddie Lai Hoi-wing).
The anchor leg might be the hardest, a Class Four over 1,400m, again with a group of southern hemisphere four-year-olds ready to improve.
Richard Gibson has gone to the blinkers with Trendsetter (Olivier Doleuze) - lameness and knee problems limited him to three runs last term - but a solid trial and encouraging work since then show he could be ready to produce first up.
Supreme Genki (Suborics) jumps from one and goes in along with Good Hong Kong (Purton), Lord Dragon (Ho) and Why Not (Ng).
TRACK STARS
RACE 1: (1) Enjoy The Fun, (4) General Danroad, (12) Just Good, (14) Crimson.
RACE 2: (1) Danzulu, (2) Noble De Best, (3) Naughty Baby, (4) Glory Of India.
RACE 3: (2) Arrived Ahead, (3) Able Speed, (5) Cerise Cherry, (6) Crown Witness.
RACE 4: (1) Alp’s Glory, (3) Blessing Win, (5) Epee De Hua, (9) Mega Posh.
RACE 5: (1) Jade Christy, (5) Solar Spirit, (8) Celestialblessings, (9) Duo Glory.
RACE 6: (1) Smiling Watch, (5) Lord Dragon, (9) Trendsetter, (14) Diamond Angel.
RACE 7: (1) Nordic One, (4) Earl Of Leitrim, (6) Amber Sky, (9) My Name Is Bond.
RACE 8: (5) Fresh Air, (7) Rainbow Fighter, (8) Uwillbeglorious, (14) Winning Boy.
RACE 9: (2) Majestic Falcon, (5) Fleet Command, (9) Just Fantastic, (10) King Of Reason.
RACE 10: (2) Adoration, (4) Winning Leader, (6) Freak Zone, (7) Cultural City
