Andrew Balding hopes for a strong pace at Sha Tin on Sunday ahead of Side Glance's run in the Hong Kong Cup.

The Group One Mackinnon Stakes winner during the Melbourne Cup carnival is a testament to the training skills of Balding, with few horses in Hong Kong this week having worked with more zest then the six-year-old.

The 40-year-old handler has been away from his Kingsclere base for the last two months, supervising Side Glance's two runs in Australia at Moonee Valley and Flemington.

"I've been out of my ground for a while, spending six weeks in Melbourne and a fortnight here in Hong Kong," he said.

"Happily, my horse is moving very well and I couldn't be happier with him.

"I was very pleased with what happened in Australia. He ran really well in the Cox Plate when he was a bit too fresh.

"Then he dropped a bit of weight but did it nicely next time in the Mackinnon, where I feel he was value for further than the distance he won by.

"That was a career-best effort and undoubtedly he has stepped up his game from last year.

"He has no problems with travelling or with a turning track like this.

"He possibly lacks the class of some of the others, but he's a relaxed traveller and a strong pace on Sunday would be ideal for him."