Exultant will line up in Sunday’s (21 January) HK$10 million Hong Kong Classic Mile as one of the main challengers to the top-rated Nothingilikemore, and while Tony Cruz is in harmony with his rising star’s status, one doubt is proving to be a discordant counterweight to the handler’s pre-race hopes.

“I’m hoping he can win but I’m just doubtful about the mile, it might be a bit short for him,” he said at Sha Tin on Thursday (18 January) morning.

Cruz’s belief that Exultant is a top Hong Kong stayer in the making was emphasised when the two-time champion trainer sent his exciting four-year-old over 2000 metres in a Class 2 handicap just before Christmas. The Irish import pulled for his head yet still had enough about him to post an impressive first Hong Kong win at his third start.

“Last time he ran too keen all the way and he can’t keep doing that – he’ll be better if he can learn to relax. But being able to win that race after pulling like he did shows just what kind of ability he has,” Cruz said.

The Teofilo gelding raced as Irishcorrespondent for trainer Michael Halford pre-import and won his first two starts at a mile last spring before finishing seven lengths third behind Churchill in the G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas (1600m).

“He hasn’t really got the speed for the 1600 but he has quality and so I still expect him to run a big race,” Cruz said after the bay had galloped this morning.

Exultant covered 800m of the all-weather track in 59.0s (31.9s, 27.1s).

“I’m very happy with him, everything is coming along nicely,” the trainer added.

Exultant will take his one-time shot at the Hong Kong Classic Mile, the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, before stepping up to 1800m in next month’s Hong Kong Classic Cup and then, all things being equal, a return to 2000m for the BMW Hong Kong Derby in mid-March. And, in the latter races, the gelding might sport the hood that was utilised in a barrier trial last week.

“In the future, I reckon I’m going to put the hood on him in the longer races, the Classic Cup and the Derby,” Cruz said. “The rule is that when he wins, you can’t add or remove any gear, so obviously we’ll have to see what happens on Sunday, but the hood relaxes him and he needs to relax when he goes over farther.”

Exultant is not the only Cruz stable representative in the weekend’s feature: Dragon Lips is well-regarded and will attempt to build off a first-up last of 14 behind the re-opposing Time To Celebrate in a 1600m Class 2 handicap 11 days ago.

“Dragon Lips wasn’t very fit last time but he’s a miler and we should see a much better horse this time. He’ll have come on for that run,” Cruz said.

The Footsepsinthesand gelding was a top miler in Germany last term for his previous handler Andreas Suborics, winning the open-age G2 Meilen Trophy (1600m) at his final start there in July.

“He’s definitely a horse that can get among them in the Classic Mile, I think he’s got the natural ability to be one of the main opponents to the favourite.”