As Might & Power, Octagonal and Lohnro have helped to promote racing in Australia so too is Silent Witness ably assisting the Hong Kong Jockey Club's current marketing efforts. When the unbeaten bay gelding (with a bank account of HK$25,181,900) turns out to race the public also turn out en masse to watch him.

For a town of people who, on the whole, are not prone to outpourings of emotion, there is something about this particular horse that makes fans paint their faces in the green and black of his owner's silks, line the fence 20 deep when he drags his strapper into the parade ring, and when he charges to the lead down the Shatin straight the roar from the crowd is beyond supportive - it hinges on raw emotion. No matter how you choose to describe it, it never ceases to send a shiver down my spine.

The champion is back this weekend. For those who do want to watch the race you can do so live on the HKJC website. Equally if you want to see how he has been progressing in track work you can review his daily form at the following URL.

I know, I know - all horses have to eventually be beaten. And there is certainly a wealth of talent being sent to challenge him for this year's International Sprint.

In terms of the loyalty this horse has generated amongst his legion of fans and the flow-on effects for the Sport as a whole however, forgive me for hoping that his time to relinquish his crown is not December 12 this year.