The Hong Kong Cup favourite Maurice, prepared by Japanese trainer Noriyuki Hori, is set to have his final gallop on Thursday or Friday after cantering and trotting around the all-weather surface on Monday.
Maurice won the Hong Kong Mile last year and is a $2.50 favourite to add the Hong Kong Cup to his outstanding record, which includes a last-start win in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) over 2000m on October 30.
Meanwhile, popular local galloper Able Friend, the $5.50 bookies' elect to win a second Hong Kong Mile in three years, is also scheduled to gallop towards the end of the week.
"If the amount of work we've been able to give Able Friend proves to be sufficient, then he'll run very well," trainer John Moore said.
"I couldn't say he was one hundred percent and, in an ideal world, you'd like to have been able to give him one more run but he does look a treat and he's not overweight. He's well in himself and will go into the race kicking his brands off.
"The last fifty metres might be a query but his trial was good and I wouldn't be surprised if he's in front at the furlong (100 metres) and doing his best to kick on. I hope he draws a good gate and gets a 'cushy' run, smothered up behind them."
Aidan O'Brien's well-travelled performer Highland Reel is back in Sha Tin to defend his Hong Kong Vase crown and is the raging $2.50 favourite.
"He's travelled well, and everything is good. We'll just keep him ticking over and freshen him up," O'Brien's travelling foreman Pat Keating said.
