Russian Emperor came away with the trophy and the substantial cash following his win in the HH The Amir's Trophy at Doha on Saturday.

Hong Kong's other runner in the race Senor Toba was not disgraced in 7th – he just doesn't have the same "killer instinct" as some of the others.

More about the Doha races later – we need to looks at Sunday's Sha Tin card which is way less exciting but here goes!  The third race is Class 1 over 1400m with 7 runners and this should be a chance for Beluga to step up – Matthew Poon is riding for David Hall and no weight on his back.  He will have to be faster than The Golden Scenery, which always reminds me of my time looking after Chinese Study Groups who had a wish-list to check off and on top was "The Golden Beach" which translated as the Gold Coast!  He's on 3.6 with Karis Teetan doing the riding for Tony Cruz.  They get an extra tick for track work.  Favourite is Cordyceps Six on 3.1.

Race 7 is the first of two Class 2s, this one over 1000m and it has a field of 7.  The very-much in form Douglas Whyte saddles Carroll Street here with Karis Teetan to ride and they are on 3.8.  Ping Hai Galaxy is on 6.9 and Ima Single Man 8.4.

Race 8 is over 2000m with 9 runners.  Five G Patch has a good record over this distance and comes into this on 2.9 for Cruz-Chadwick.  Trackwork reports are good.  Next in the market are Running Glory on 5.0 for Size-Bowman and Rise Bretheren on 7.5 for Shum-Badel.