The local sprinters have dominated this event in recent years and this edition looks no different. Two time winner Mr Stunning is back looking for the hat-trick, Beat The Clock is aiming to add this to his Chairmans Sprint prize victory and Hot King Prawn is aiming for his first success at G1 level. But the major stumbling block for them all is likely to be new kid on the block Aethero.

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The sprint course at Sha Tin offers a run of just on 300m to the first turn and barriers are of critical importance. A horse that might be placed handy on the rail from a low draw can literally be forced to go back to last. The three most favoured positions from a statistical viewpoint, when the rail is in the A (true) position, are the leader, the horse following the leader and the horse outside that follower. The recent history of the race suggests that the winner will settle within the compass of the first three positions (counting back from the leader).

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With that in mind Aethero has drawn wide in ten, but had no problems crossing them from gate nine in the Jockey Club Sprint. Hot King Prawn is in one and Beat The Clock has three, while Mr Stunning is in two. So all the favourites are well treated.

It’s not difficult to see Aethero crossing the field to lead, or at worst sit outside the leader, perhaps Hot King Prawn. Regency Legend is likely to track Aethero across from his wide gate (twelve). Regency Legend is the interesting runner, his only failure coming in the Jockey Club Cup. He has bleeding issues and perhaps that was his problem last time. It’s hard to trust him based on that, but if he finds his best would prominent.

Two visitors come into the race. The Japanese sprinter Danon Smash is a son of two time winner here, Lord Kanaloa. He’s not been able to win at G1 level yet, but would rate as the second best sprinter in Japan behind Tower Of London. In Her Time is under an injury cloud with a quarter crack to a hoof, not ideal for the firm track she is likely to face tomorrow. Even her best would see her struggle to win this at this stage of her career.

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I really liked the run of Hot King Prawn in the Jockey Club Sprint, his first after a colic operation in February. He’ll no doubt take improvement from that. Aethero has looked so good all week, a really relaxed young horse, he’ll be a tough one to beat.

My Stabs: Hot King Prawn, Aethero, Beat The Clock, Danon Smash