Joyful Deposition?

The Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (Gr.1-1400m) made worldwide headlines this time last year when Silent Witness accomplished his 17th straight win, with a couple of world titles thrown in, confirming him as the best speed horse anywhere. He was the minimum-priced moral of all-time then.

Things change.

Twelve months later the same horse will start, in all likelihood, as second favourite to Joyful Winner, one who has never even raced at the highest level at this distance.

So far this season, trainer John Moore has lifted four from six available domestic Gr.1 races and his temporary repatriation of Christophe Soumillon on Joyful Winner ? an unlucky loser last time in the Chairman's Trophy (Gr.2) ? could assist Moore's charge towards a coveted trainers' title.

'I'm happy with the horse,' Moore said of Joyful Winner, 'but this is his first big test. He's never taken on Gr.1 horses at this rate before but he has a very good chance. Getting the same winning jockey back will help, for sure.'

While nine horses are boxed for the HK$4.5m third leg of the Champion Sprint Series, regardless of the favourite, track sentimentality (if such a thing exists) will be reserved for the formerly imperious Silent Witness.

Hong Kong's Most Popular Horse has regularly clocked between 21 and 22 seconds in recent 400m morning hit-outs, leaving jockey Felix Coetzee of the opinion of the champ's wellbeing ? with reservations.

'I'm not raving confident about him winning, but I know he was feeling good this morning [Wednesday]', he said.

'He's been clocking good times in the mornings, but he's feeling more like a stayer now. He's not going to lead and win like used to so it will depend on what speed is on'

Silent Witness' chances may pivot on how Billet Express, winner of the sprint series' second leg for Moore, the Chairman's Sprint Prize, is deployed. Billet Express has never raced beyond 1200m in Australia or Hong Kong.

Dave's Best, third home in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile, and Planet Ruler, five times a winner over Saturday's trip and runner up in the CXHK Sprint in December are core to the principals' opposition.