From www.hkracingform.comHong Kong's 2012/13 season kicks off at Sha Tin on Saturday 8 September, when seven smart contenders go to post for the feature event of the 10-race card, the HKSAR Chief Executive's Cup (Handicap).Arrived Ahead (127lbs) will bid to continue the eye-catching progress he exhibited last season, which saw him rise from a rating of 78 to 109. The Marju four-year-old seeks a fifth Hong Kong career win in this 1200m contest, and trainer Peter Ho will be hoping for a performanc

From www.hkracingform.com

Hong Kong's 2012/13 season kicks off at Sha Tin on Saturday 8 September, when seven smart contenders go to post for the feature event of the 10-race card, the HKSAR Chief Executive's Cup (Handicap).

Arrived Ahead (127lbs) will bid to continue the eye-catching progress he exhibited last season, which saw him rise from a rating of 78 to 109. The Marju four-year-old seeks a fifth Hong Kong career win in this 1200m contest, and trainer Peter Ho will be hoping for a performance full of promise for the season ahead from the course and distance winner.

Trainer John Moore is hopeful that Able Speed (126lbs) can dent Arrived Ahead's burgeoning reputation. The Compton Place six-year-old failed to win in five starts last term but was close up when fifth to stable-mate Captain Sweet in the HKG3 Sha Tin Vase over the course and distance in May.

Able Speed rounded off 2011/12 with a fine third to Arrived Ahead over the distance in a Class 1 at Happy Valley in July, and enjoys a 6lbs pull in the weights with the re-opposing grey, for a defeat of only three quarters of a length.

"Arrived Ahead looks the one to beat but Able Speed ran well at the Valley last time and he has a 6lbs turnaround, so I'm hopeful he's going to run his race and be right there," said Moore of his charge, who showed that he is in good heart by winning a 1200m all-weather barrier trial recently.

"He trialled very well and Brett (Prebble) was very complimentary about the horse that day and about his work since then, which has been very good. We've been trying to hold together the form that he showed at Happy Valley."

Derek Cruz is another trainer that rates Arrived Ahead. He saddles two talented performers in top-weight Flying Blue, who with Keith Yeung's 3lbs claim will carry 130lbs, and Cerise Cherry (121lbs).

Flying Blue is aiming to recover the form that took him to four wins, including the HKG2 Chairman's Trophy over a mile, in the 2010/11 season. He drew a blank last term but hinted at better things to come when third on his final outing of 2011/12 in the 1400m HKG3 Prince Jewellery & Watch Premier Cup.

"Peter Ho's horse, Arrived Ahead, looks to be the main threat," said Cruz, "but I think Flying Blue can run well fresh. He tries very hard and he's a nice mover - I don't think the drop back in trip will be a problem for him because he has good natural speed."

Cerise Cherry ran consistently well in the latter half of last season, his best effort being fourth place in the HKG3 Sha Tin Vase on his most recent start.

"Cerise Cherry can run well fresh too," added Cruz, "so I just hope we will see a good run from them both."

The Manfred Man-trained Supreme Win (126lbs) conceded 5lbs to the talented Dan Excel and was beaten only a neck when third to that rival over a mile at Sha Tin on the final day of last season.

Crown Witness (119lbs) from the Tony Cruz stable makes his first appearance since April when he ran below par at Taipa, Macau, while the Dennis Yip-trained Cheer, set to carry bottom-weight of 110lbs thanks to Alvin Ng's 7lbs claim, drops back to 1200m for the first time since May, 2010, having not raced since he won over 1650m at Happy Valley last October.