Preparing for what could be the final chapter of his stable star’s career, Douglas Whyte has declared Russian Emperor is “as good, if not slightly better, than last year” ahead of his bid for a third straight Group One Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) victory.

A driving force behind Whyte’s early success as a trainer, the multiple Group One winner could be racing for the last time in today’s feature at Sha Tin.

And despite pulling up lame after a distant defeat in his lead-up run, Whyte says Russian Emperor has improved significantly to be in similar order to when he beat superstar Romantic Warrior in last year’s Champions & Chater Cup.

“He’s flying,” Whyte said. “He’s probably as good, if not slightly better than last year.”

Winless since the HK$13 million race last year, Russian Emperor made some ground from the tail of the field but was beaten more than nine lengths behind La City Blanche in the Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2,400m) on May 5.

The seven-year-old faced a tough task with top weight of 135 pounds but Whyte said the son of Galileo rebounded quickly from his post-race niggle and is primed for his bid to become the first horse to win three straight Champions & Chater Cups since River Verdon in the 1990s.

“It’s been a long time between drinks that a horse with 135 [pounds] or top weight has won that particular race,” Whyte said in reference to the Queen Mother Memorial Cup.

“I thought he came into the race travelling well but he knocked up the last 150m – condition took its toll and preparation also took its toll.

“I think he’s got the mileage into his legs now and he’s had three weeks between runs, so it’s been a good preparation from that race going forward.”

A wet week in Hong Kong has also boosted Whyte’s confidence. Russian Emperor won his first Group One, the Gold Cup (2,000m), by more than four lengths on a yielding Sha Tin track in 2022.

“If [the rain] sticks around, it will definitely enhance his chances, but I think there’s enough juice in the ground at the moment to at least get his toe in,” Whyte said. “I won’t be complaining if it rains during the day.”

Russian Emperor’s three-peat bid could be thwarted by Godolphin star Rebel’s Romance, who arrives in Hong Kong off the back of dominant wins in the Group One Dubai Sheema Classic (2,410m) and the H.H. The Amir Trophy (2,400m).

“He’s the horse to beat,” Whyte said of the Charlie Appleby-trained Rebel’s Romance, who was six and a half lengths ahead of Russian Emperor in that H.H. The Amir Trophy success.

“He’s come here with great form. I respect Charlie Appleby, [he’s a] champion trainer, I’ve been with him and seen his work ethic.

“He’s obviously the horse to beat, but I couldn’t be happier with the condition my horse is in.”

Reflecting on Russian Emperor’s career, which has yielded almost HK$50 million in prize money, Whyte said the tough stayer is “a superstar in my eye”.

“There’s a good possibility it will be his final run, depending on how he pulls up,” Whyte said.

“I also have to protect the horse. He’s been the backbone of my yard and he’s been an integral part of my career, so he comes first.

“It’s going to be a sad day when he has to retire, but I’ll certainly find him a good home.”

Hugh Bowman will again ride Russian Emperor, who jumps from barrier one in the field of eight.