Jerome Reynier’s first tilt at the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) was one he would rather forget.

In the midst of Covid four years ago, the French trainer had strong claims with stable star Skalleti in the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), while Royal Julius was rated a big outsider in the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m).

“That was such a weird time with Covid,” Reynier said. “It was not easy. Royal Julius was a big outsider and Skalleti was a good, Group One-level horse on soft ground, but everything went wrong.

“He didn’t jump out of the gates, they went really slow and he wasn’t able to come back from behind, so that was a really bad trip.

“It was a bad experience human-wise and racing-wise, because we were parked up in the hotel room and didn’t see anything. So I think this will be a better trip this time.”

Skalleti could only beat one rival home behind Normcore, while Royal Julius ran a distant last.

Returning to Hong Kong with hopes of a more positive outcome, Reynier has quality three-year-old Lazzat set for Sunday’s Group One Hong Kong Mile.

Lazzat has been a revelation for the Marseille-based handler, bursting on the scene with brilliant wins on his first six starts this year.

The son of Territories notched back-to-back Group Three triumphs in April and June, before romping home by three lengths in the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest (1,300m) at Deauville in August.

Sent to Australia for the Golden Eagle (1,500m) last month, Lazzat suffered his first career defeat but lost no admirers when a brave second to Lake Forest.

“He wasn’t beaten in six starts before the Golden Eagle and he didn’t get the best trip,” Reynier said.

“He didn’t jump well out of the gate and he had a horse putting so much pressure on him all the way through. He was very tough to keep that second place.”

Reynier has been thrilled with Lazzat’s condition since he arrived in Hong Kong as he prepares for his first test at 1,600m.

“That was a pretty long trip for a three-year-old and I think he was very happy in Australia,” Reynier said.

“He came here, the weather wasn’t great and he was on his own in the barn. It wasn’t easy to handle the new conditions, but now he’s got some company and the weather’s getting better, so he’s feeling better.

“I’m happy with the way he looks and the way he’s behaving. He had a good canter on Saturday morning and we were happy with him.

“It’s just a question of getting in the routine work until the race on Sunday and he looks in very good shape with a shiny coat.”

Despite winning his first two starts over 1,500m, Reynier fears the mile could pose a problem for his stable star.

“I prefer him over shorter,” Reynier said. “The Maurice de Gheest was over six-and-a-half furlongs, which was just ideal and it’s very hard to find similar conditions.

“On fast ground, he should handle the conditions and hopefully there’s another leader this time. I don’t like him to go in front but he’s got so much natural speed, sometimes there’s not much you can do.

“Maybe he’s a very good sprinter and he will go back in trip if he doesn’t stay the trip.”

In a wide-open edition of the Mile, Lazzat is rated a prominent contender along with Japanese duo Soul Rush and Jantar Mantar, Australia’s Antino and local hopes Voyage Bubble and Galaxy Patch.