Douglas Whyte enjoyed a lucrative trip to Qatar 12 months ago and he says Russian Emperor has been “flying” and “full of beans” during his final preparations for Saturday’s H.H. The Amir Trophy (2,400m).

After pulling off a historic win in the local Group One contest last year, Russian Emperor is set to face an even tougher challenge this time around against a host of overseas rivals targeting their share of the US$2.5 million (HK$19.5 million) pot.

While the son of Galileo’s preparation has not all been plain sailing, Whyte is confident his stable star is in tip-top shape after hopping aboard for his latest gallop on the Al Rayyan turf on Tuesday.

“It looks stronger on paper,” Whyte said. “I think it’s a lot more competitive, but having said that, our horse has travelled over in good form.

“He’s just flying at the moment. His action has been great and so has his attitude. His weight is his winning weight which he was at last year. I just can’t seem to get him to this weight in Hong Kong.

“It’s phenomenal. He’s healthy and he’s very fluent in his action. I’m very happy with how he is going. He’s full of beans. The most important thing is that he gets his head in the feed bin and that he’s finishing up everything. That’s very encouraging.”

After jumping from barrier four under Alberto Sanna, who takes the reins again on Saturday, Russian Emperor charged around the outside of the field to claim a first overseas success in last year’s H.H. The Amir Trophy.

After snaring a second Group One Champions & Chater Cup crown in May last year, Russian Emperor has endured a turbulent 2023-24 campaign consisting of three runs over inadequate trips and a left front fetlock injury at the end of November.

The seven-year-old returned from his setback with a pleasing last-start seventh in the Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m) and will need to take another step forwards when he jumps from barrier seven in Saturday’s showpiece.

“It’s a strong field, but I’m happy,” Whyte said. “John Gosden doesn’t travel for no reason and his horse [Israr] looks like he has an amazing turn of foot. I think it’s a tougher field, but having said that, my horse has arrived in good order.

“When I came [to Qatar] the first time I loved it. We manage him as best we can. I limit his racing, gallops, pretty much everything.”

Among Russian Emperor’s eight rivals are two top-level winners. Rebel’s Romance, who is owned by global superpower Godolphin, took out the Breeders’ Cup Turf (2,400m) in 2022, while Simca Mille justified a short price in the Grosser Preis von Berlin (2,400m) in August last year.

Potential pacemaker Point Lonsdale represents the Aidan O’Brien stable and boasts a pair of Group Two victories, while Israr also has a Group Two win to his name. December’s Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) runner-up Zeffiro is the pick of Japan’s three-pronged attack on the race.

While Russian Emperor has got his work cut out against a stellar field, win, lose or draw, there’s no doubt this gelding will continue to be the pride and joy of his trainer.

“He’s the highlight of my career at the moment. I might never get another one like him,” Whyte said. “What he’s done and what we’ve done together has been a dream come true. It’s been a phenomenal start to my career as a trainer and he’s always going to have a special place in my heart.”