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Evergreen sprinter Joy And Fun will be aiming to turn the tables on Lucky Nine when they clash in the Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The Derek Cruz-trained galloper dead heated for second in the G1 Hong Kong International Sprint at his latest start in December after a three-way duel in the straight with eventual winner Lucky Nine and co-runner up Entrapment.

“He's back to his old self again," Derek Cruz said, “"This will be his last season whatever happens.

“At this stage he will to Dubai in March and perhaps he'll even go back to Ascot if he's still in form."

The globetrotting Joy And Fun won the G3 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan in 2010 before he went to the UK where he finished behind Starspangledbanner in the G1 Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot.

Joy And Fun's only previous attempt at 1000m at Sha Tin came when sixth in the 2010 renewal of the Centenary Sprint.

“This is slightly on the short side but he's a very honest horse and he should be thereabouts,” Cruz commented.

“He trials very well over the straight 1000m and he has such a big heart.

“It's never easy in these G1 races but he's doing very well and has come back really good this season - he ran a great race last time.

"I ride him in the morning and he's pleasing me. We'll look to Dubai with him again after this race.”

The HKG1 Centenary Sprint is the first leg of Hong Kong's Speed Series and will see Lucky Nine seeking to confirm his superiority in a hot renewal that also features Little Bridge and former champion sprinter Sacred Kingdom, who is looking for his third straight win in the race.

Lucky Nine emerged as the new hero of the sprint division in the International Sprint over 1200m and faces a test to come back to 1000m on Sunday.

“Lucky Nine has done well since his last race and I'm happy with his preparation,” said trainer Caspar Fownes.

“He's very consistent and I've kept him fresh but 1000m is a trifle short.

"The straight 1000m is a specialist's course really so the key will be a good pace up front and then hopefully he can hit the line strong.

“He's up against good 1000m horses. Sacred Kingdom is getting on but he's got a great record, Little Bridge is another that loves the distance and there are a couple of others that are good, strong 1000m horses so it won't be easy.”

Little Bridge, trained by Danny Shum, has won four times over the course and distance in lesser grade.

Sacred Kingdom, four times champion sprinter and 2009/10 Hong Kong Horse of the Year, won this prize in 2010 and 2011 but will have to recapture his best form to clinch a hat-trick after finishing 10th in the HK Sprint last time.

His trainer Ricky Yiu, who also saddles Dynamic Blitz, winner of the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint in Dubai last year, commented: “Sacred Kingdom is doing fine. He's been out on the track every morning and is back to his routine.

"He's still capable for this race and still competitive over the 1000m.

“There are not too many options for Dynamic Blitz. It's not dirt and his only win at the distance came in a Class 3 but he'll take his chance on the grass and we'll see what he does.

"We are aiming for the race in Dubai again – that's his big target.”