7.50am Chairman’s Sprint Prize (Group 1) 6f

Aethero proved to be his own worst enemy for the second time this season when he missed the break in a Group 2 last time – from gate five – and found himself behind runners, pulling, and running into the back of other runners.

But John Moore believes the classy sprinter is “definitely the one they’ve all got to beat” after the he drew stall five again. The exciting three-year-old will attempt to become the first of his age to win the contest since Fairy King Prawn in 1999.

“I expect him to ping and get to the front. We might see the best of him,” Moore said. On his A-game, this race is his to lose and from the gate, with Zac Purton up, he should be able to put his last-start woes behind.

Hot King Prawn is as consistent as they come. He’s placed in three Group 1s this term and has proven himself to be up to this level. This is his opportunity to bag a top-level success. Thanks Forever gets the blinkers applied to sharpen him up. He hasn’t won for a while but he rarely runs a bad race. The once high-class eight-year-olds D B Pin and Mr Stunning seem well out of form.

9.00am FWD Champions Mile (Group 1) 1m

Beauty Generation is looking for his third consecutive Champions Mile win and he appears more than capable of getting it. He’s won his last two starts, his latest in the Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy over this course and distance with main danger Waikuku only sixth of the seven runners.

A wetter track will play into his hands but either way, he appears to have recaptured his best and this contest appears to be his to lose.

More Than This has shown a brilliant turn of foot over this course and distance, especially as a three-time winner. He commands plenty of respect here back down to his preferred distance after placing in all three legs of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.

The Irish import Waikuku has finished ahead of Beauty Generation four times this season, notably when successful in the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup and Group 2 Jockey Club Mile, and again when second in the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Mile; but since those results there are two telling wins for Beauty Generation.

Waikuku appeared to struggle in the wet on his last start. He may well bounce back because that was well below his best, even if it was a slightly wet surface.

9.50am FWD QEII Cup (Group 1) 1m 2f

Exultant is Hong Kong’s champion stayer and should cap a solid season with a Group 1 score in the QEII Cup. The Irish-bred is a proven Group 1 winner over this course and distance and although he couldn’t quite catch Time Warp last start, he is favoured to return to winning ways. Time Warp goes from the front and is a straightforward ride and can prove difficult to reel in.

Another former Irish-trained gelding, Playa Del Puente nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in his last start in the BMW Hong Kong Derby and warrants respect.