So much did Hans-Gerd Wernicke enjoy himself during a trip to Sha Tin for Poseidon Adventure’s 10th in the 2008 Group One Hong Kong Vase, the 93-year-old German owner is back for another crack at the 2,400m feature with the impressive Mendocino.

Mendocino’s trainer, Sarah Steinberg, says Wernicke has “been waiting for a chance” to return to Hong Kong, and if his patience is anything to go by, the nonagenarian might just feel his Group One-winning galloper is a sniff this Sunday.

“It’s a wish from the owner,” Steinberg explains about the decision to push onto the Vase from Mendocino’s last-start 12th in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

“He was here before with Poseidon Adventure many years ago, and it was such a great adventure for him.”

Steinberg confirmed the still sprightly Wernicke will be among “everything” during his Hong Kong stay despite his age, and the young trainer is also soaking up all that comes with travelling a horse farther than she ever has before.

Just 34 years old, Steinberg has been training since 2015 and most of her overseas raids have consisted of trips to France. After a string of Group wins, Steinberg broke through at the elite level thanks to Mendocino’s victory in September’s Grosser Preis von Baden (2,400m).

“It’s so different to Europe, but it’s so organised here, and everything has been smooth,” she said.

“There’s more traffic on the racetrack in the mornings. In Munich, it’s quiet so Mendocino isn’t used to this, but he’s done really well.

“He feels good, and he’s been working well every day. He’s really relaxed here, which is good.”

Steinberg admits Mendocino has his quirks – more pre-race than once the gates crash back – but is confident the galloper’s adaptability and versatility will hold him in good stead this week.

“He’s sometimes a little bit special, so we’ll see. He’s really tricky in the parade ring before the race, but in the race he’s OK,” she said.

“His last two races he ran with earplugs and it was much better than before – he was more relaxed. He’s tricky before the race, not in the race.

“The ground is OK for him. We don’t need soft ground for him. The races are, obviously, different here than Europe, but he feels well, and I think he has a chance.

“We’ll see how the race unfolds. Rene knows him, and he can do everything with him. If the race is really fast, he can go behind. He needs a little bit of pace – not too slow – but we’ll see how it goes.”

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Rene is Mendocino’s jockey, and Steinberg’s partner, Rene Piechulek, the rider who won the 2021 Arc aboard Torquator Tasso.

Between them, Steinberg and Piechulek do all of Mendocino’s work, and the latter will be in the saddle at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Overseas fixed-odds bookmakers have Mendocino pegged as a $26 outsider, but Steinberg is optimistic in the knowledge she has come to Hong Kong armed with the best horse she has ever trained.

“I had a really good horse, Quest The Moon, but he was sometimes a little bit unlucky, and he had a big injury. He was a really good horse, but I think Mendocino is the best,” she said.

“We’re a really small stable. I only have 30 horses, but we have good horses. I’ve won plenty of Group races, but to win here would be special.”