The Class Three Lapis Lazuli Handicap at Sha Tin shapes up as the most difficult puzzle on the card, but finding the winner should pay rich dividends.
Andrea Atzeni’s ultra-consistent Enthusium and last start winner Family Jewel, representing the Caspar Fownes and Joao Moreira combination, are both likely to be prominent in the market.
Last start winner Mighty Strength will also be popular, with connections hoping the horse can give young pilot Dylan Mo another well-earned success.
Top-weight Joy Of Spring is another Fownes stable representative who drops down in class having already won three times in this company at Sha Tin.
Zac Purton takes the ride on Shamus Storm, having previously partnered the four-year-old to victory, adding further intrigue to an already open contest.
THE BOOM BOX carries little recent form into this race, but his first try at ten furlongs gives strong reasons to believe significant improvement is possible.
Having started his Hong Kong career with a hat-trick of wins, the five-year-old has found it tough going since, adding just one win over the extended mile at Happy Valley to his record.
He still retains considerable ability, as demonstrated by his encouraging effort when running on strongly in the closing stages over nine furlongs on his most recent start.
The icing on the cake is that Vincent Ho retains the ride, having partnered the horse to victory in all four of his wins and knowing exactly how to get the best out of him.
In such a competitive and open contest, Brett Crawford-trained NUCLEOZOR offers a second interesting angle, having only run twice this season following a health issue a year ago.
The son of Almanzor was unbeaten in three races in New Zealand before being shipped to Hong Kong to begin a new chapter in his racing career.
Both his efforts since resuming in April have been encouraging, particularly his fifth-place finish behind rival Family Jewel on his most recent outing at the track.
With jockey Karis Teetan staying loyal to the horse, Nucleozor looks capable of going close at what should be attractive odds in a wide-open race.