Star of Yiu Cheung
Last year’s winner and an absolute superstar with his fantastic record 12 wins and 7 placings from 21 runs. Trainer Wayne Smith gave him a well-deserved break since the month of March after not showing his absolute best last time out beaten 1-1/4. He won the recent turf trial over 1000m in 0.58.4. He is also the current course and distance record holder and jockey Shogo Nekano knows his every stride. The one to beat.

Thanks Forever
Classy former Hong Kong galloper previously trained by John Moore with 3 placed efforts from 6 runs so far in Macau. Multiple- group-placed horse and a G3 Sha Tin Vase winner in May 2020. He travelled to the line well in that same trial with Star of Yiu Cheung on June 26. He’s a top 3 chance. The slight concern he is a bleeder and did happen quite a few times during his racing career. He also has to pray for a dry track.

Gon Sai Baau
This emerging galloper has fully capitalised on Star of Yiu Cheung’s misfortune and setback, including 2 wins over 1200 and further establishing himself with 3 wins on the all weather this campaign. The run 2 starts ago he had a very tough time on the heavy track and last time out over 1050 the heavyweight 133 seemed to get the better of him. Those runs were forgivable. The equal weight scale will definitely put him in a better position. The best of the rest.

Sheng Li Superstar
Latest run he was 5-1/2 away from Rock to Road 1050 metres on the all weather. Nice racehorse that has won twice at the journey back in 2019, but nowadays he performs better on sand and takes out the Dassai New Year Cup over 1050 metres this campaign in great fashion.

Rock to Road
On-paced runner and winner of the trip 2 seasons back. Latest run he won over 1050 nicely and 2 back over the C&D he looked to run away only got caught late by Luen On Poseidon beaten 1/2 length on a heavy track. He was a tad slow away in his recent sand trial but finished off nicely. He is a more of a place chance and could handle any types of tracks.

Sacred Magnate
4-time winner in Macau including the 2020 Derby. He was quite disappointing last start over 1800 behind Bravo Cyclone. He has not reached his peak rating yet and ideally the longer the better for him. Having said that, he absolutely flashed home late in last year’s contest for 4th behind Star of Yiu Cheung. And 2 starts ago he also closed off nicely behind Luen On Poseidon over 1200 metres on the heavy ground. He cannot be dismissed at all to shake things up here.

Bravo Cyclone
He is enjoying a booming first season with 5 wins on the all weather and then ticked another box in his latest effort over 1800 metres with an all of the way win by a margin of 2-1/4 against some of the opponents here under handicap conditions. A fairly busy youngster and his 10th start for the season in a course of 6 months. There are some quality speedy horses in the field not sure if he is up to the task with more pressure applied. A definite strong Derby contender for next season. He won the recent 1000m sand trial sweetly. Still, only a place chance under equal weights. Untried on wet surfaces.

Fortune Treasure
He showed signs of coming back to his near best in recent months after an injury that put his racing career on hold. He claimed a victory over 1200 in Class 2 by leading throughout on 4^th June and 3 back he rallied nicely and came 3^rd behind Diamond Rivers. He is the G3 Macau Sprint Trophy winner in 2020 and loves the trip. More is needed coming up against these top company. A minor hope on him back on track.

Luen On Poseidon
4-time course and distance winner including 3 starts ago with the apprentice claim he absolutely dashed home and beat Rock to Road on the wet conditions. It was not a bad effort over 1800 metres he was covering some ground until around halfway and ran on ok. At equal weights I think he is going to struggle here. A very heavy track will give him a better hope.

Electroplate Alloy
A winner of 8 races and a good record at the trip with 3 wins and 12 placings over 1200 metres. Latest effort caught late by Diamond Rivers beaten a head. He met these company over 1200 and 1500 this campaign under handicap conditions and not beaten far away at all. He finished 5th behind Star of Yiu Cheung over 1200 on 2nd January beaten 4 lengths. He would not be completely out of it on those efforts. But perhaps a very wet track may assist his place chances.

Hostwin Saturn
A horse that runs on and there will be sufficient speed for him to do so. Lastest effort over 1800 he raced pretty fiercely and failed to get going in the straight. 1200 or 1500 looks to suit him better these days. 3 starts ago over 1200 he battled on well behind Luen On Poseidon beaten 4-3/4 on a heavy track. He is a place hope.

Association Eight
A winner of 7 races one of those at 1200 metres and scored back-to-back victories with his latest effort over 1500 metres beating Top Mountainlegend on a heavy track in Class 2. He will race near the pace, but looks out of depth here under equal weights, unless the track is genuine heavy on the day.

Gem Glory
Speedy galloper whose 8 wins in Macau have all been at this trip. His best run time was 1:08.3. He operates best on a good track but he will find this too strong here.