Think the draw could prove an important factor in the cup, I know it may sound a bit odd for a 2000m race but the first bend is only 200m from the stalls so you wouldn't want to be sat 3 or 4 wide going round it if you're an on-pace or midfield runner like many of them are, it could set up for DOR again, though I'm still happy with BS.

Staphanos, Straight Girl, Satono Aladdin, Mikki Isle, A Shin Hikari and Fiero have just arrived at Sha Tin from Osaka.

Already settled in at Sha Tin are Green Mask, Mongolian Saturday, Gailo Chop, Criterion and Preferment.

Looking forward to next weeks build up and live track work stream from HKJC.

Not surprised by that HK, he looked a billion bucks in the photograph of him arriving at Sha Tin the other day. He still needs to step it up a bit more IMO... like Staphanos needs to but not out of the question!

Good update on Free Eagle yesterday, all systems go and has been training well. It will all be about the flight now and how he handle's it?!

The Irish and French horses have arrived at Sha Tin.

Weather looks grim in Hong Kong today HK... heavy rainfall?

Are you getting another wife HK?

I thought so HK!

All the international raiders have arrived now, Cannock Chase, Mondialiste and Toormore rocked up at Sha Tin today.

I had a good look at the HK Mile over the weekend to try and see if I could find an EW bet against Able Friend. Like HK, the first one at the prices which caught my eye was Esoterique, she is a top class mare and has run some fine races this year, she would have been the bet but there are a couple of nagging doubts!! Firstly her best runs have been on straight tracks at Newmarket, Ascot and Deauville respectively. Sha Tin is nothing like those tracks and that might find her out against some very good milers, also she has been on the go for a while and not sure a flight to America and then Hong Kong is ideal!!

The only other one which I'm tempted to back EW is Danon Platina, he's the only 3yr old in the race which could be negative looking at past winners of the race. Even though there have only been two 3yr old winners there have been a few which have gone very close to winning in recent years (Creachadoir | Royal Bench | Dubawi Gold).
Danon Platina is very lightly raced and unexposed at 8F, he won the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (G1 8F) at Hanshin as 2yr old and that win really grabbed my attention. He travelled strongly through the race and went from near enough last to first like a very good horse. For his first two races as a 3yr old his connection stepped him up in trip which I don't think he wanted, he didn't disgrace himself over 9F finishing a length behind the future Japanese St Leger winner/second but 10F was too far in his next race. After a very long break (April - October) he came back and won his prep over 8F (G3) beating Satono Aladdin with another power packed last to first win. Satono Aladdin was then only a length behind Maurice in the Champions Mile and that form puts Danon Platina right in the mix at a much bigger price and I think he's got scope for more improvement. As I posted earlier on in the thread I think Maurice is too short even though he's won three on the trot but his current price is probably more to do with RM riding, which is a positive. Before I place my bet on DP I want to see how he settles in and what his connections have to say but at 16-1 he will more than likely be my EW bet to finish behind Able Friend.

I seem to be turning Japanese this year, I've added an EW bet on Mikki Isle (16-1) in the HK Sprint. If this fella can settle (needs a strong pace) I think he will will run a big race, it's doubtful but at the price worth a gamble.

Some positive Tweets from Sha Tin track work regarding Free Eagle, Criterion and Gailo Chop today... they were the eye catchers (Candice Hare / SCMP Racing Post)!!!

Bets so far:

HK Cup: Free Eagle 14-1 EW / Staphanos 16-1 EW
HK Sprint: Mikki Isle 16-1 EW
HK Mile: Danon Platina 16-1 EW (very likely)

Yep CCM, I don't think AF will get beat, if he runs like he did in the Premier Bowl nothing should get near him IMO... that was awesome. I think Danon Platina is the value bet at 16-1 and a good EW alternative compared to Maurice who was hovering around evens favourite a couple of weeks ago!!!

I will put AF in some doubles and trebles... that melt down at Royal Ascot is still fresh in my memory but so is last years wonderful HK Mile win!

Great win by your lads HK, especially with all the injury's!!!

Track work watchers tweeted positive updates again for Criterion and Free Eagle. Danon Platina got a #wow from Candice Hare and some other very good comments... Maurice was another stand out!

4mm per hour rainfall today, forecast has improved as today should be the only rain of the week.

Great draw for Gold Fun and also happy with Blazing Speed.

Hopefully will have news to report on Free Eagle and Toormore tomorrow direct from source.

Not so happy for Straight Girl as she'll be doing the same as last year now from 13, you must be happy with the L9 draw though Mr D?

I'm leaning towards Gold Fun as my best bet of the 4 races now but I don't think he'll be any sort of price on the HKJC so if you want to back him go for the 2-1 in the UK.

Almost too perfect Mr D!!

Doncaster 12.40 tomorrow btw, just to watch as he's likely to be very green still and hurdling isn't what he's made to do, plus he's still growing.

KR withdrawn HK, I didn't see what happened or what the problem was. Unlucky, would have been good to see how he got on first race back!

Good to hear KR's OK, he's got plenty of time on his side. Will look forward to hearing updates on his progress HK.

From the tweets and general media reports that I've read it sounds like Free Eagle is in great form and has settled in very well at Sha Tin. He has had glowing reports each day so I will be really disappointed if he's not in the first three.

I think the pace of the race will be pretty good in the HK Cup, A Shin Hikari drawn wide will have to be quick out the gates to get to the front (his style) from barrier 12, his connections said after the draw that's what they intend to do... they stated they have no other option. I think Criterion will try and follow him from barrier 13, he's another one that likes to be near the pace. With Gailo Chop and Dan Excel two others who like to race prominently there could be a proper fight for the lead early on and a quick pace!

Blazing Speed got a good update today from his trainer Tony Cruz, he's confident of a big run. I will probably regret not backing him but I'm going to stick with the two I already backed before the draw and just hope they get a good early position from tricky draws. If they do I think they will be bang there at the finish... with a few others. Really looking forward to this race.

The thing with Gold Fun is you know what your going to get, he's so consistent... I can understand your confidence in him HK. My two bets are more speculative ones but I do believe they have the ability to be in the mix if the race goes to plan, I'm more confident with Mikki Isle than L9 though.

John Moore seemed more bullish about Dominant rather than HHS the other day. Do you think HHS price is more to do with the Magic Man riding HK?

HHS price is 25-1 at the moment over here, I'm tempted to have a dabble EW but JM put me off a bit. Older horses have got a good record in this race, 6,7 and 8yr olds have won it!

I totally agree HK, HHS price is the value bet out of the two, I was just a bit surprised with John Moore's comments. There is nothing between the two but JM thought HHS was just an EW chance if he stepped up again, bit odd he's only 4-1 on HKJC when JM makes that kind of comment!

There are some crazy prices with B365... my typing went a bit street style!

Wowzers, I know which one you will be backing then!

On the Free Eagle express one last time. Good luck all.

Decided to back Dominant (14-1 EW) in the Vase after changing my mind a number of times. John Moore's confidence and belief that Dominant is in better form than when he won it 2 years ago swayed my decision, plus Zac Purton is back on board.

Compared to last year I've been more speculative with my bets, this years races look a lot more competitive and I feel there could be a few surprises... the favourites will probably go and win every race now!!!!

Super excited for tomorrow, should be a great morning of top class horse racing. Good luck all.