#1 Xponential has recaptured his form after wavering a touch following his debut win and if he can continue on an upward trajectory, then he is the one to beat. He has drawn to get the right run for Chad Schofield who from gate four can ensure minimal energy is expended in the run.

#2 Hard Promise hasn't won for over a year but his return to Class 4 has seen sharp improvement. He draws a much better gate here than his last two runs and with conditions to suit he can figure.

#12 Shining On gets in light with only 117 lbs on his back, as well as the services of Joao Moreira. He's consistent and off this mark it wouldn't surprise to see him go on with it.

#3 Breeze Of Spring is racing honestly and should be around the mark again.

#4 Clear Choice loves the course and distance as a two-time winner already this term and he looks capable of adding a third here. The wide alley isn't a concern in the small field and if he gets a clean run throughout, he should every chance to be hanging around at the finish.

#8 Touch of Luck is looking to recapture his best. He has raced consistently over this course and distance and with the inside draw, he should be able to contest the finish.

#1 Ping Hai Treasure is proven over this course and distance as a winner last campaign. He returned admirably first-up and with that run under his belt, further improvement can be expected.

#6 California Argent is next best.

#10 General Trump was blocked in the straight for a run last start and although he was too far back, it did clearly cost him in the finish which could have easily seen him cross the line better than 10th. He can atone for that performance here as he appears to have held his consistency and as a course and distance winner, he is a proven customer.

#2 Decisive Twelve has hit the ground running in Hong Kong with two competitive placings next to his name from just two outings. He has the wide gate to contend with but he appears to be on an upward spiral.

#1 Flying Bonus receives a welcome drop to Class 4. This could be what he needs to be competitive and the booking of Zac Purton who is, fresh off a five-timer warrants plenty of respect.

#8 Universal Crown can turn his form around with that run under his belt as his trials prior were sound.

#9 Red Brick Fighter has taken his time to acclimatize but then penny does appear now to finally be dropping. He has been consistent this term and he now looks ready to go on with the job, especially with Zac Purton taking the reins for the first time.

#2 Joy Master has gate 13 to contend with but if he gets an ounce of luck at the start he can finish around the mark again.

#10 Golden General has raced fairly over 1800m his last two starts. Key step to the mile here which should suit and gate seven is also favorable.

#4 Humble Steed is looking for back-to-back wins. He can finish thereabouts, though, this is tougher than last time.

#8 Gorgeous Inheritor closed strongly at Happy Valley last start at only his third Hong Kong start. He can improve further here and should be suited by the spacious straight that Sha Tin has to offer.

#11 Invaluable has been consistent all term without winning. He should find a nice spot throughout to see him in the finish.

#3 Leading Fortune has the awkward gate to contend with but is racing well. This suits remaining in Class 4 and he's in with a decent shout as a last start victor.

#14 Shinealot is next best.

#9 Ka Fortune turned in a solid performance last start for fourth and if he has continued to improve off that performance he's going to prove difficult to beat. Though, the wide ally on the dirt will make things difficult, but he still rates as a leading player.

#2 Jade Fortune is the veteran of the field with 51 starts and four wins to his name. He warrants respect in this grade, especially with Zac Purton up. The Australian jockey is fresh off a five-timer last Wednesday at Happy Valley.

#11 Party Everyday can be his own worst enemy at times, settling far too back in the field with too much work to do. Still, he is racing well and he's likely to be trying to finish over the top of them again.

#4 This One's For You won't be too far away.

#4 Relentless Me is a very straightforward ride and if he finds the front here, he could take plenty of reeling in. He has led and won previously and from the inside gate, with Jerry Chau taking 10 pounds off his back, he gets an excellent chance to go back-to-back.

#1 Fantasy is looking for a hat-trick of wins. He has the big weight to lug this time against a number of key chances who get in light but still, he knows how to win and with race-experience on his side he's set to be fighting out the finish.

#10 Glenealy Generals is much better than his last start tenth suggests. He can figure in the small field.

#5 Wind N Grass is next best.

#7 Multimillion is a five-time course and distance winner including first-up this season. He should relish racing over his favorite distance at Sha Tin and with conditions to suit, he's a leading player for Karis Teetan who knows him well having won aboard him three times.

#9 Loving A Boom flashed home to grab second in a strong Class 2 at the Valley last time out. He has yet to race down the Sha Tin straight but, he has put together some high quality runs against strong company and if he can find his best here, he just might be able to threaten these.

#5 Hong Kong Win has hit a purple patch of form having won two out of his last four starts. This suits and he bears close watching once again as the in-form on-the-up galloper.

#11 Massive Pocket is not without a chance if he reproduce his course and distance score earlier this season.

#2 Time To Celebrate ran a blinder last start to grab second, beaten only by a short-head. If he can recapture that run again here from gate two for Chad Schofield then he's in with a shout to grab his first win since early 2019.

#1 Beauty Legacy has a fiery temperament which he struggles to control but when he is free-rolling in a race, he does manage to find a nice rhythm which can be favorable for him. If he can find that here and not pull his head off in the run, then on raw ability he's going to test this bunch.

#12 Ballistic King won well last start after missing twice by a neck previously. He steps up to Class 1 here which is always tough but still, does appear to have a number of ratings points still in hand. 2019 Irish 2000 Guineas third.

#4 Decrypt is next best.

#10 Farhh Above has all the ability in the world but just needs a few things to go his way. Say he gets this, and a clean run in the straight then he's capable of going on with it here, as long as he doesn't find himself trapped far too back with too much work to do.

#11 Star Of Yuen Long has ability but appears to have tapered off his last three runs. Still, conditions suit here from the good gate and he should get every chance to showcase his best.

#4 Right Choice was a close-up second last start. He rates highly, though, once again draws poorly which is a concern against this bunch.

#6 Assimilate has quite the temper but on his day he is rather slick. He rates strongly if he can keep it all together here.

Joao Moreria aims to fire back with a full book at Sha Tin

DAVID MORGAN - Joao Moreira knows he needs a big response at Sha Tin on Friday night after title rival Zac Purton burst four wins clear at the top of the premiership with a fantastic five-timer at Happy Valley midweek.

The Brazilian endured a blank night as Purton put on one of those dazzling multi-win hauls that both brilliant riders have proven so adept at producing in recent seasons.

With Purton reduced to seven rides on the weekend's 10-race card, Moreira is hoping his full book contains enough quality to at least reduce the deficit as both men continue their on-track grapple to beat the other to a fourth Hong Kong champion jockey title.

"It's not over yet," Moreira said after riding barrier trials on Friday morning. "I've got some support and some nice rides coming up.

"There's no doubt that what Zac did on Wednesday was fantastic. He has proven he's a world class jockey and nobody should be surprised that he's in front at the moment, he's put himself in a much more comfortable situation getting a few winners ahead of me.

"But I don't think people should doubt me because I have faith in myself," he continued. "I know I've got it too, I've got the skills and abilities and I know what I'm doing. I'm very strong mentally and I'll be doing my best all the way to the end."

Moreira has set the pace for most of the campaign, with Purton leading the way for three short spells so far. The former expects the tussle to remain tight right to the final race meeting at Happy Valley on July 15.

"A little while ago I was 11 in front, then I was behind and then I went three or four ahead of Zac again; now I'm behind but who knows what's going to happen even in the next thirty days?" he said.

Moreira is enjoying the rivalry, believing the competition pushes both competitors to higher performance levels. And, while he appreciates the excitement it brings to the sport, he is also keen to maintain a sporting approach and avoid the development of any false narrative about the rivalry having a bitter edge.

"The public is loving it," he said. "But Zac and I are rivals only on the track. When we are off the track we are not enemies, we treat each other very well and I think we shouldn't change that because if we do it will make things awkward for both of us and create an unhealthy environment.

"So far, we've been able to keep the sporting rivalry the way that it should be and if I'm the winner, or he's the winner at the end of the season, either of us would have done enough to deserve it."

Moreira will partner four horses on Sunday for his primary backer John Size, notably the one-time Classic Series hope Beauty Legacy (133 lbs) in the Class 1 Amber Handicap (1400m).

The 4-year-old, named Hawkshot when trained in Australia pre-import, impressed with a Hong Kong debut win in January but then raced too keenly and lost all chance in his next three outings. Last time, he traveled more kindly to place second at the course and distance behind the re-opposing Ballistic King (119 lbs).

"It feels like he's responding to what he's been taught," Moreira said. "No doubt the race he ran last time suited him because they went a bit faster than the races he ran before; the step back in distance and the pace both helped him to settle down in the race much better, which was our aim with him.

"He seems very healthy and he's going forward. If he performs like he did first time out it wouldn't be a surprise because we have a lot of faith in him at home, we think he's a good horse - I wouldn't put him out of the frame quite yet."

The race also features the smart Frankie Lor-trained 4-year-old Decrypt (126 lbs), the mount of Purton, while new apprentice Jerry Chau will get his first taste of Class 1 action on his first race day in Hong Kong aboard the John Moore-trained Buddies (120 lbs).

Moreira has a 23% win strike rate at Sha Tin this term, against Purton's 20% at the big track; Moreira rides at a 22% strike rate on the turf circuit and at close to 24% on the dirt, while Purton's figures are 21% on turf and a shade better than 12% on dirt.

Moreira's strike rate for Size at Sha Tin this term is healthy - 21% overall - but even with 19 meetings remaining, his 21 wins at the course for the handler is noticeably down on the past three seasons when the duo tallied 46 (20%), 41 (28%) and 39 (25%) successes there. That is a consequence of the 11-time champion trainer going through a season of transition, which has yielded only 36 wins to date.

The rider is satisfied that trainers and owners have backed him and will continue to trust in his proven ability but he also believes he has sensed a recent shift towards Purton.

"I can't complain about the support that I've got but if I go deep into it, I think there's a bigger number of trainers migrating to Zac's boat - I think he's getting enough support and where he is at the moment proves it," he said.

He also believes the Size alliance could yet prove influential if the handler's young stock can emerge ready to win in the final weeks of the season.

"I do think that, especially when he's starting to send out some of his younger horses and I hope that gives me a boost," he said.

"I need it very much, but, at the same time, I can't just rely on him because let's say his young horses don't do very well, then it's over for me. So I'm also working with other trainers, I feel like I can get other rides outside and I hope that's just enough to help me out in the premiership."

Size has eight named PPGs (Privately Purchased Griffins) currently in work that are either unraced or have raced only once and have already stepped out in barrier trials, and could therefore be set to compete before the season ends. Moreira had nine wins last term aboard first-season Size-trained PPGs in Class 4 - this term he has three wins and is hoping to improve that record aboard the three-year-old debutante Iluvataar in section one of the Class 4 Peridot Handicap (1200m).

"He's impressed me in his trials and if he's able to produce in the race what he's been showing us, in regard to ability, I'm quite confident he'll go out there and be competitive first time. I can't say he's going to win because it's always difficult to win first up, it's tough in Hong Kong, but he's a quality horse," Moreira said.

He will also partner the Size-trained Hong Kong Win in a hot edition of the Class 2 Amethyst Handicap (1000m). The 4-year-old was withdrawn from an intended engagement on April 8 due to lameness.

"He's going good," he said. "Whatever problem he had, he definitely overcame it because he felt great in the trial - I don't see that as an issue. His chance is good - the race is going to be hot and that will give him a chance to come from behind and run them down."

The fourth of Moreira's Size-trained mounts is Ping Hai Treasure on the dirt in the Class 3 Jasper Handicap (1650m).

Moreira will also team with trainers Caspar Fownes and Francis Lui, as well as Danny Shum for whom he will partner the hat-trick seeking Fantasy, and he will also climb aboard the Douglas Whyte-trained Farhh Above for the second time, in the Class 3 Emerald Handicap (1400m).

"Farhh Above felt like a good horse - he's in the making still. He's probably far off being at his very top in regards to maturity and ability because he seems like he has the potential to go farther than he's gone so far," he said.

"It seems like an even race - there are multiple horses with a good chance in the race and there's no doubt he's one of them."

The Sha Tin card starts at 1:00 a.m. ET / 10:00 p.m. PT with section two of the Class 4 Peridot Handicap (1200m).