Able Friend, who won this in 2014, was a short-priced favourite when beaten into third a year ago and has only had one subsequent prep run over 6f. Already a Group 1 winner four times around here, he would have been well supported again but he's drawn widest of all and looks to have too much to do. His stable companion Helene Paragon is now said to be trainer John Moore's pick though his overall form falls short of this level. Japan won this last year through Maurice and have a strong hand this time. Satono Aladdin won a Group 2 at Kyoto in October but has been beaten twice at the highest level in-between, including when fourth behind the shock winner LOGOTYPE at Tokyo in June. The winner had Maurice in second that day and though behind the latter on his latest start the extra quarter-mile proved beyond him so he's handed the vote. Ryan Moore's mount Neorealism had Maurice behind when scoring over 1m2f in August but may be better over that trip and doesn't have the best of draws, a remark that also applies to local hopes Joyful Trinity and Beauty Only, 1-2 over 7f here in October. Silvestre De Sousa's mount Sun Jewellery was less than a length behind the latter and runner-up Romantic Touch over the track and trip last month and with the best of the draw this time can gain revenge on that pair.
Able Friend (AUS) (8-11) 4th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Not Listenin'tome (8-11) at Sha Tin 6f gd in Nov.
Contentment (AUS) (9-2) 4th of 10, 1 1/4l behind Beauty Only (8-11) at Sha Tin 1m gd in Nov.
Logotype (JPN) (9-2) 5th of 15, 3 3/4l behind Maurice (9-2) at Tokyo 1m 2f (1) fm in Oct.
Giant Treasure (USA) (9-2) 9th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Beauty Only (8-11) at Sha Tin 1m gd in Nov.
Beauty Only (IRE) (8-11) won at Sha Tin 1m gd in Nov beating Romantic Touch (8-11) by shd, 10 ran.
Helene Paragon (FR) (8-11) 7th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Beauty Only (8-11) at Sha Tin 1m gd in Nov.
Neorealism (JPN) (9-0) 3rd of 18, 3/4l behind Mikki Isle (9-0) at Kyoto 1m Grp 1 fm in Nov.
Packing Pins (NZ) (8-11) last of 10, 4 1/4l behind Beauty Only (8-11) at Sha Tin 1m gd in Nov.
Beauty Flame (IRE) (8-11) 6th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Beauty Only (8-11) at Sha Tin 1m gd in Nov.
Cougar Mountain (IRE) 80-1 (9-0) 4wd into str,mild bid, 8th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Tourist (9-0) at Santa Anita 1m gd in Nov.
Romantic Touch (AUS) (8-11) 2nd of 10, shd behind Beauty Only (8-11) at Sha Tin 1m gd in Nov.
Satono Aladdin (JPN) (9-0) 5th of 18, 1 3/4l behind Mikki Isle (9-0) at Kyoto 1m Grp 1 fm in Nov.
Sun Jewellery (AUS) (8-11) 3rd of 10, hd behind Beauty Only (8-11) at Sha Tin 1m gd in Nov.
Joyful Trinity (IRE) (8-11) 5th of 10, 1 1/4l behind Beauty Only (8-11) at Sha Tin 1m gd in Nov.