Even though they are both backmarkers and will be spotting the leaders a big break down the back, Hei Hei Posh and Navel Orange can be counted on as double bankers in the opening leg of Wednesday night's Triple Trio at Happy Valley.
The pair stand out in a weak Class Four handicap over 1,800m - a distance notorious for muddling tempo - but there looks sufficient race speed to help them gain ground late, even on the C course.
Hei Hei Posh has drawn 12, which means jockey Zac Purton will have to go back to near last - but he will at least have some company because Navel Orange (Douglas Whyte) can be relied upon to miss the start almost every time.
Alex Lai Hoi-wing will go forward on Superking Dragon, while similar instructions could be issued to either, or both, of the two apprentices: Dicky Lui Cheuk-yin on Cool Bean and Alvin Ng Ka-chun on Martial King. Punching up from gate one will be Ben So Tik-hung on All The Winners.
Hei Hei Posh drops back into Class Four after two respectable efforts up in grade, and he meets a tired looking bunch.
Navel Orange was an 89-rated Derby prospect from France when he arrived at the start of last season, but after a stable transfer and dropping below 50 in the ratings after 17 starts, he began to look competitive.
The five-year-old does not make life easy for himself by being slow away, and the last two times jockeys have been forced to go a long way from home to put him in the race.
Last time Joao Moreira was forced very wide as he made his run and Navel Orange did not handle the turn at all well, but still made good ground to finish third.
A start earlier Mirco Demuro took off impossibly early to put Navel Orange into the race and the gelding still clung on for a close fourth, beaten less than a length by Winning Mascot.
Outside of the top two include Win It (Brett Prebble), Superking Dragon, who will be better suited back at the smaller track, and Dragon Pins (Matthew Chadwick) - he is competitive in Class Four and copped the backwash of some terrible interference last start, but still got home well.
Playing a double banker in the opener will help, as the final two legs are extremely difficult.
In the middle pin, a Class Four over 1,650m, play Mazandaran (Whyte) as banker - he is edging closer to a maiden victory and drew three. Include Southern Springs (Purton), despite a wide draw, Pearl Star (Tommy Berry), Penny Lane (Karis Teetan) and Skip Court (Chadwick).
In the final leg, the Sauternes Cup (Class Three, 1,650m), Invictus (Berry) looks one of the best bets on the card, slotting into a nice draw after a tough run last start. Victory Hero (Prebble) is the biggest threat and a possible double banker. Also consider Buddy Buddies (Whyte), Lucky Hammer (Purton) and Ongoing Volatility (So).
