It is never an easy Triple Trio when playing with factors like a Class Five opening leg and an all-weather track middle leg, but Tony Millard's Top Act can defy a ratings rise and be a reliable banker in the final leg of Sunday's TT at Sha Tin.
A minor HK$1.6 million jackpot awaits punters, but it will take a little skill and a lot of luck to snare any part of the pool.
O'Reilly gelding Top Act (Neil Callan) finally broke through last start after an incredibly consistent debut season, when he finished in the top four at five of his six starts.
First-up this season, the four-year-old ran into all sorts of problems. He was sluggish to jump, with Callan forced to get busy early to try and maintain any sort of a position.
He eventually recovered to find himself positioned nicely on the back of the leaders, getting a cosy run, but when the sprint went on at the top of the straight, he was travelling like a truck with nowhere to go. Half-gaps appeared, narrow openings quickly shut, and he went to the line untested, beaten only a length and a quarter by Happy Centenary.
Last start, he was again slowly away, but Callan again was able to find a nice position again, this time staying one away from the rail to ensure he did not meet the same interference.
Bullocked into the clear around the home turn, he took time to wind up, but eventually had enough in hand to defeat Grand Harbour by a length and three quarters.
It shapes as a race likely to be run at an even tempo, and from gate two, Top Act should be able to get a lovely run again - as long as he doesn't miss the start too badly.
This time, Grand Harbour meets Top Act six pounds better and also gets the services of Joao Moreira again, the only jockey to have scored on the son of Savabeel. He may lead and prove hard to run down, so he goes in along with Win It (Zac Purton).
Good Fit (Eddy Lai Wai-ming) has shown signs of nearing a win and he can also be considered.
In the middle leg, a dreaded race on the dirt, Startling Power (Purton) can take advantage of a good gate to lead from the outset and may prove the best banker.
Second-up last time, he produced his best performance to date when crossing to lead from a wide gate on the dirt, only being run down late by Hello Kimberley, who was in scintillating form at the time. They were well clear of the rest.
While his form is not so good outside of that run, an improved showing is to be expected and he will be somewhere in the mix.
Mellifluent (Moreira) has his first run on the dirt and returns to the 1,200m for the first time in seven starts. He has started favourite at four of his last five runs, though, and while he has been consistent, he has yet to break his maiden. He maps to enjoy a nice run here so must be included, potentially as a double-banker play.
Others to include are Fair Wind (Gerald Mosse), Confucius Elite (Callan) and Jade Pippo (Vincent Ho Chak-yiu).
In the opening leg, a pretty poor race even by Class Five standards, Archer's Bow (Brett Prebble) can act as banker as he steps up to 1,600m for the first time.
Also consider the likes of Flying In (Moreira), Money Cafe (Purton) and Bamboo Dance (Callan), while John Size's rare Class Five runner Dragon (Christian Reith) should not be taken lightly.
