John Size-trained Sichuan Charm gave Golden Harvest enough of a race last time out with none of the favours to think he holds the dominant position tonight at Happy Valley when the two clash again in the Japan Racing Association Trophy (1,200m).
For this time Sichuan Charm (Keith Yeung Ming-lun) is the horse on the right end of the draw at the right time with the rail in the treacherous C+3 position.
Hard against the inside rail is gold on the C+3 and Sichuan Charm (pictured) has barrier one, as opposed to barrier nine last time, while Golden Harvest (Umberto Rispoli) is going in the opposite direction as he moves from barrier three to barrier twelve.
There is probably a decent argument that Golden Harvest is the superior horse of the two but that theory doesn't get a fair test in tonight's Class Two trophy contest.
Sichuan Charm has the weapons to use the pole position, with a feature of his three appearances being brilliant gate speed that has seen him cross from outside alleys to find the rail over tonight's trip.
He kept on to win two runs ago despite the early exertions then found Golden Harvest a half length too strong last start.
Size has already trained six winners at the Valley this season, a figure that not so long ago would have been his whole season there, and Sichuan Charm's only hurdle could be the other pace in the race.
Leading City is in the late autumn of his career but has been a thorn in the side of other leaders in better grades for several seasons. New Glory and Super Fresh are also quick enough to soften up the frontrunner if they are used that way.
That would offer hope to Golden Harvest if Rispoli can find a good path through the field, and encouragement to Imperial Champion (Zac Purton) and Tai Sing Yeh (Olivier Doleuze) as well.
