Buddies (124lb) has four wins from 10 career starts and further progress could yet see the 87-rated four-year-old make the Hong Kong Classic Series.
The on-pace galloper heads to Happy Valley for the first time on Wednesday, 13 November, having snared three of his victories on the Sha Tin dirt.
“I think Happy Valley will be ideal for him,” trainer John Moore said. “He’s done everything right leading into the race and I believe he will handle Happy Valley, with that cushion in the track.
“He can go very good sectionals so they’ll have to run him down and I think he’s a live chance. The gate (nine) is not that important because he has good gate speed: he’ll cross over and if something wants to sit outside him, well he’ll just go straight to the front again.”
Moore also has the consistent Happy Dragon (125lb) in the Class 2 contest, the nine-race card’s finale. The five-year-old was second to Playa Del Puente last time.
“He is in very good form,” Moore said. “He might have started to reach his maximum rating but from that gate (two) on the C track, you’ve got to give him a chance too. He’s done everything right leading into the race.
“Happy Dragon has already proven himself and will be hitting the line against Buddies who I believe will handle the track but there’s still that negative that he’s never proven himself there.”
The smart Green Luck (133lb) from the Caspar Fownes stable tops the weights – but has 10lb claimer Alfred Chan booked to reduce that burden – while John Size is set to saddle Hezthewonforus (131lb) and Mr So And So (125lb). The field also features Good Omen (122lb), Brave Legend (121lb), Amazing Beats (120lb) and Noble Steed (118lb).
Wednesday’s action also includes the Class 3 Sutherland Handicap (1200m) in which the Fownes-trained Snap Fit (127lb) will attempt to take his unbeaten sequence to four under Purton.