Sterling City will attempt to kick-start his season on the first day of 2015 when takes on nine smart rivals at Sha Tin in an intriguing renewal of the HKG3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup.
The New Year’s Day feature often attracts top-class contenders and the roll of recent winners includes G1 stars such as Little Bridge (2011), Egyptian Ra (2010), Joy And Fun (2009), Floral Pegasus (2007) and Scintillation (2006).
Sterling City can be included in that list. John Moore’s charge won the 2014 edition en route to a famous top-flight triumph but unlike 12 months ago, the gelding heads into the 1400m contest off the back of an uninspiring run of form.
Sterling City has failed to make the frame in five starts since winning the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m - Tapeta) at Meydan in March, and was last seen finishing a disappointing 10th behind Aerovelocity in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m).
Sterling City had shown some of his old spark in his final piece of work before his most recent failure and he appeared in fine heart once again when working under Umberto Rispoli at Sha Tin on Tuesday.
The new partnership went 800m on the all-weather track in 50.2s in company with Frederick Engels. Rispoli will pilot the two-time course and distance winner on Thursday as regular pilot Joao Moreira serves a suspension.
“His work was good this morning and he looks fit,” said Rispoli. “If Sterling City comes back to his best form of last season he has a very good chance, and I think the 1400m is probably best for him.”
Sterling City has dropped a point in the ratings to 121 since his last start but that is still 3lb higher than his winning mark last year and he faces no easy task under top-weight of 133lb.
Among his talented opponents are trainer Dennis Yip’s last start winner All You Wish, the Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Flame, six-time course and distance winner Super Lifeline from the Tony Millard stable, and the John Size-trained pair of Tour De Force and Wonderful Moments.
The G1 winner must also cross swords with four of his stablemates as Moore will pitch into the fray Flagship Shine, Rewarding Hero, Secret Sham and Frederick Engels.
The last-named has eased from a peak rating of 119 to 114, his lowest mark in almost two years, and showed his wellbeing last time out when a running-on fourth in a 1200m Class 1 at Happy Valley on 17 December.
All You Wish, third in this race in 2014 and 2lb worse off with Sterling City on that running for a length and a quarter, returned to winning ways in a mile Class 1 at Sha Tin on 30 November.
The 2012/2013 Champion Griffin, a four-time course and distance winner, now finds himself on a career-high mark but could have more to offer with only 13 lifetime starts under his belt.
Flagship Shine and Secret Sham, also-rans in G1 company last time, will be looking to find their feet again in this lesser grade.
