When it comes to black bookers from Sunday's meeting at Sha Tin, Redkirk Warrior did not just have a flashing light on him, he had sirens and fireworks to go with it.
The Chris So Wai-yin-trained four-year-old showed that the quality he had displayed in two runs in England has come with him to Hong Kong and he will be looking to qualify for the Derby, especially if So can get him to settle in his races and properly harness the big acceleration he possesses.
But Redkirk Warrior was so obvious that there probably is not going to be much profit in following him next start and that means looking for something more subtle for the black book.
The form from Sunday's entire turf card could be deceptive as the curse of a poor pace was back, with just two of the seven turf events run at average tempo or better and slowly-run races make the ordinary look better than they are.
One race that was very truly contested was Startling Power's dirt win and he will take himself into the higher grades on the dirt, but further back there were good signs for Vanilla and Young Ranger, too.
Vanilla has been a total disappointment on turf after coming with good form from Australia, albeit some on wet ground.
He has now run three times on the dirt and gone well in each, suggesting the kinder surface is his niche.
He made up a lot of ground in the sprint on Sunday and the dirt 1,800m Class Three coming up looks just what he wants.
Young Ranger's first local attempt over 1,200m at Happy Valley was not too bad, his second was poor, but his improvement for sixth on the all-weather was not a big surprise as the two of his four starts he won in England were on fibresand so the switch to the dirt was likely to suit.
Both those wins in Britain came at 1,600m and, despite showing good pace on Sunday in the early stages, Young Ranger looks like he will appreciate the move to a longer trip.
