Young jockey Nick Hall is brimming with confidence ahead of his international debut on All Silent in Hong Kong.Hall, who is unbeaten on All Silent after wins in the Gilgai Stakes and Patinack Farm Classic during the Melbourne spring carnival, is looking forward to Sunday's International Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin.He is not perturbed by barrier 14 which caused a minor reshuffle of markets with Australian bookmakers having the Grahame Begg-trained gelding vying for favouritism with local star Sacre

Young jockey Nick Hall is brimming with confidence ahead of his international debut on All Silent in Hong Kong.

Hall, who is unbeaten on All Silent after wins in the Gilgai Stakes and Patinack Farm Classic during the Melbourne spring carnival, is looking forward to Sunday's International Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin.

He is not perturbed by barrier 14 which caused a minor reshuffle of markets with Australian bookmakers having the Grahame Begg-trained gelding vying for favouritism with local star Sacred Kingdom.

"He's kicking and squealing on the track. I can't believe how good he feels," Hall said.

"I've been thinking all week about whether I'll use an old-style whip or the padded whip which is now compulsory at home.

"I've decided to go with the padded whip rather than change for such a big occasion.

"Once he's wound up, he doesn't need it but you do have to wake him up when it's time to go."

Begg was initially despondent about the barrier but said it would not change All Silent's racing pattern.

"I've told Nick to ride him the same way as he has been in Melbourne and that's quietly," Begg said.

All Silent is the least experienced traveller of Australia's three Sprint contenders but Begg says he is coping better than he could have hoped.

"He's doing so well we're giving him an early feed in the morning, then walking him for some time before we get him onto the track," he said.

Reigning Horse of the Year Scenic Blast is also back to his best with trainer Dan Morton dismissing concerns about the right-handed track.

Most of Scenic Blast's racing has been done in the opposite direction or on straight courses in Melbourne or England where he won the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

"People have asked me about him going right-handed but I don't think it's a problem as every piece of work he has had since England has been going that way," Morton said.

Morton said Scenic Blast had worked extremely well and seemed particularly fond of the Sha Tin grass track.

The third Australian, Apache Cat, is making his second visit to Hong Kong after finishing third in the race last year.

The eight-time Group One winner is at his fighting weight.

"He was 538 kilos when we weighed him which is exactly the same weight as he was on International day last year," trainer Greg Eurell said.

"And when he won five in a row at home he was in the 538 to 540-kilo weight range every time."

Observers are unanimous American horse California Flag will lead but his trainer Brian Koriner has warned that does not mean he will be going too hard.

"Everybody expects he might go too hard on the speed but he can come back to the rider," he said.

"He's just a naturally fast horse."

Australia's other representative at the meeting is Racing To Win who contests the International Mile.