Douglas Whyte is confident a fresh Russian Emperor is ready to stake his Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) claim in a “very competitive” Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2,400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Whyte opted to skip last weekend’s Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) with Russian Emperor as the six-year-old continued his return to full fitness following a three-race stint in the Middle East, but his regally bred gelding is now primed for a return to the races.

“The travel took its toll. He was a little bit tired, but he’s nice and fresh now. That trial [last week] topped him off, and he’s had a nice preparation,” Whyte said.

“The timing just didn’t suit [for the QE II Cup]. He’d had a long, tough campaign, and he just needed that extra time to prepare.”

Russian Emperor has not won on home soil since snaring last season’s Champions & Chater Cup – his second Group One victory – but he tasted success in the first of his overseas assignments in February’s H.H. The Amir Trophy (2,400m) in Qatar before finishing fifth in the Group One Jebel Hatta (1,800m) and eighth in the Group One Dubai Sheema Classic (2,410m) in March.

Those international performances all came under Alberto Sanna. Lyle Hewitson, Blake Shinn and Harry Bentley have all ridden Russian Emperor in Hong Kong this term, but it will be Hugh Bowman charged with negotiating barrier one aboard the galloper on Sunday.

“He’s got Hugh on him, and he’ll go around where he’s comfortable. He’ll have to get some room when he needs it, but I don’t think gate one will really worry him. Hugh is one of the best and he’s a great navigator, so I’m not really worried about the gate,” Whyte said.

“I wouldn’t mind a bit of rain around, but I’m happy. He just seems to excel when there’s a bit of give in the ground. The forecast says it’s going to rain, but you never know.”

Bowman, who ran second on both Courier Wonder and Beauty Joy at Group One level on Champions Day, is pleased to begin his association with Russian Emperor but concerned about the 118-rated galloper’s 135-pound impost.

“I’m excited to be riding him. I trialled him before he went to the Middle East and won, so I’m looking forward riding him again,” the Australian said.

“The distance is ideal, but I’m not so sure the handicap plays in his favour. He’s giving some horses 20 pounds, but it’s something we’re going to have to deal with.

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“It is what it is. He’s a class horse, and he’s at his favourite trip, so he’s got a bit in his favour, but he’s got a bit against him, too.”

Whyte is hopeful Russian Emperor will run well enough to encourage Bowman to stick with him for the Champions & Chater Cup on May 28, but admits he is expecting a stern test in the 12-runner Queen Mother Memorial Cup.

“It’s very competitive. It’s probably one of the strongest Queen Mothers I’ve seen in a while,” Whyte said of a race featuring the likes of Senor Toba, Panfield, Straight Arron and Sword Point.