Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Onlymade a big impression in his first campaign and the four-year-old has a great chance to open his second preparation in the right style in the Kwangtung Handicap Cup (1,400m) at Sha Tin today.
Beauty Only (Neil Callan) claimed the Group One Classic Mile and was far from disgraced in the other four-year-old races in the spring, including his solid Derby sixth.
Most importantly, Beauty Only got his act up and running early with a win at his first Hong Kong start, which stands him in good stead for his fresh run this afternoon, as does his only attempt at 1,400m.
That 1,400m Class Two came when he was on the fresh side after Cruz had given him six weeks to get over the Derby, and he again ran well in Class One on the final day of the season with a seven week break, so the indications are there that Beauty Only can do his best without a recent run.
Of course, the horse who beat him narrowly over 1,400m that day, Giant Treasure (Douglas Whyte) is also here again and his record shows two runs at 1,400m for two wins and what Giant Treasure has in his favour is that he is likely to be in front of Beauty Only straightening for home.
Beauty Only is one pound better off against the grey, which is of little account, but what might assist him to turn the tables is that Giant Treasure did not race again after and is having his first run since April. Cruz brought Beauty Only back for that last day feature in July so residual fitness is on the side of the former Italian horse.
Both the four-year-olds have trialled well and look leading chances but they don't have the race all to themselves.
Dennis Yip Chor-hong-trained All You Wish (Joao Moreira) is a battle-hardened older horse who has done his best at 1,400m, even though he did win a mile race last season.
While Giant Treasure and Beauty Only will probably be looking at the international races, All You Wish is more the type to get ready for some of the earlier features more within his compass.
The pace in the race looks Multivictory rolling to the lead with a very light weight but just how fast they go is the query and will very much depend on the tactics of some of the widely drawn horses.