Flash Knight was his own worst enemy two starts back when beaten as favourite, but a more settled last-start effort indicates the John Moore-trained four-year-old is ready for the step back up to a mile in the final leg of Sunday's Triple Trio at Sha Tin.
Brett Prebble took over from Olivier Doleuze and managed to get Flash Knight to come back to him, taking a hold from gate eight, before he unwound with a withering sprint to miss by a short head.
Prebble caught cover going forward three wide and peeled off in the straight, only just failing to run down Supreme Flight at the end of 1,400m, the winner getting a much softer run, but the key was the way Flash Knight relaxed from the start.
Doeluze had a tougher time a start earlier, Flash Knight doing everything wrong as he resented being taken back in the field, fighting every inch of the way with his rider, until he finally faded to be beaten more than eight lengths.
Flash Knight was tried at his second local start over a mile and failed badly, but the signs are there that the English-bred will appreciate the extra distance.
He was taking ground off Supreme Flight late and won his second start over 1,655m, right-handed, at Leicester - both indications he will handle the forgiving Sha Tin 1,600m.