Yasutoshi Ikee has flagged a change of tactics for Soul Rush in the Group One Longines Hong Kong Mile, but the Japanese trainer was keeping his cards close to his chest ahead of Sunday’s feature at Sha Tin.

Taken back to near last from barrier 11 in last year’s Mile, Soul Rush ran on powerfully in the straight under Joao Moreira to finish fourth behind Hong Kong champion Golden Sixty.

“I think last year, strategy-wise it didn’t work well, so hopefully this year our strategy will work better,” Ikee said.

When asked on Friday what his instructions to Moreira would be, Ikee said “it’s confidential”.

Soul Rush has again been burdened by a wide draw in gate 10, but strikes a more even Mile with Golden Sixty retired and he is an improved horse from 12 months ago.

The six-year-old has overcome wide draws to record brilliant wins in the Group One NHK Mile Championship and Group Two Yomiuri Milers Cup in Japan this year.

“Soul Rush is improving compared to last year,” Ikee said. “I checked him for the first time in a week at the stable in Sha Tin and he looks very well.

“I walked the turf track at Sha Tin this morning. It seems faster compared to the other years I have been. It was a very similar track the day we won the Mile Championship and if that’s the case, we expect him to run very well.”

Moreira will team up another strong Japanese fancy, Stellenbosch, in Sunday’s Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m).

The Sakae Kunieda-trained filly won the Group One Japanese 1,000 Guineas (1,600m) and has been placed at her past two starts behind Cervinia in the Group One Japanese Oaks (2,400m) and Group One Shuka Sho (2,000m).

“She’s ready for the race,” Kunieda said. “Barrier [13] is a little bit of a concern, but Joao has nice experience here. I will depend on him.

“[Cervinia] is a very strong filly, but I think Stellenbosch is the same as her. That’s why I have confidence to participate in this race.”