Trainer John Size isn't involved in the denouement to the Happy Valley Million Challenge tonight but he does look like he might be a potent factor in deciding who does carry off the prize, reports Racing Post HK.
It has been going since October and, by this finale night, the Million Challenge is usually down to just a few possibles but this season's Valley competition has, mathematically at least, 11 runners tonight capable of taking the HK$650,000 first prize cheque.
All Great Friends heads into the night as the top point scorer with 44.5 points and a win in race six secures the Challenge for him but he has the distinct look of a horse who has hit his mark after four victories this season and it won't be easy, even with a soft draw.
If All Great Friends misses out, perhaps a win for Twin Delight (race five) or Choice Treasure (race seven) will get the job done - each has Zac Purton on the plus side and a wide draw in the negative column.
But Size's results will be crucial - he has an unusually strong Happy Valley team tonight, with excellent winning chances in Sichuan Exec (Joao Moreira), Silly Buddies (Ben So Tik-hung) and Eye On You(Moreira) all standing in the way of someone's Million Challenge aspirations.
Perhaps the best of them looks Eye On You in the eighth race, where he looks the spoiler for Million Challenge contenders Clever Beaver, Oriental Prosper, Gentilis and Hella Hedge. Clever Beaver could win with second placing points but that is by no means guaranteed coming off successive wins, and the extra 11 handicap points they've earned, and he still needs favourable results in the other races.
It was hard to miss Eye On You resuming from 10 months away from racing on March 11, when he rattled home over 1,000m after getting back from a wide draw. He has the tactical pace to be closer stepping up to 1,200m tonight and stands out as the one to beat.