Trainer Danny Shum is calling on trusted ally Zac Purton to help reignite his flagging challenge for the trainers’ championship at Sha Tin.
Just weeks ago, Shum was among the frontrunners, riding a wave of momentum that included Romantic Warrior completing the Triple Crown.
That run of success has since ground to a halt, producing only one winner from the last four race meetings.
Shum now finds himself five wins adrift of championship leader Caspar Fownes with just nine fixtures left in the season.
The trainer has publicly insisted he still has plenty of ammunition remaining and will be banking on Purton in the Swan Handicap division two over seven furlongs at 11.30am.
His progressive galloper Gorgeous Victory carries strong claims in that race, with the son of Lucky Vega steadily improving with each outing.
The horse produced his best form to date when staying on strongly in the closing stages behind Joyful Joy over seven furlongs last month.
With the champion jockey riding at his minimum weight for the assignment, conditions appear to align favourably for Shum and Purton.
The partnership also combines with Blazing Wind in the competitive six-furlong Snipe Handicap at 1.05pm on the all-weather surface.
Blazing Wind won convincingly over the course and distance last month but has since been handed a substantial 11-pound penalty for that performance.
A wide draw in stall 10 compounds the challenge further, making this a race best watched rather than backed with confidence.
Purton carries nine rides across the card and looks well placed to provide his supporters with a memorable afternoon at the track.
His strongest hand may come in the closing Owl Handicap over seven furlongs at 2.15pm aboard the four-year-old Aerovolanic.
That horse ran well when finishing third from an unfavourable outside draw behind the useful Brilliant Express over the same course and distance last month.
Crucially, Aerovolanic has been handed a much kinder draw in stall two this time, which should significantly improve his chance of winning.
An impressive recent trial has underlined that the four-year-old remains in sharp form heading into this assignment, suggesting he is hard to beat.