Lizard's Desire on Sha Tin turf

Lizard's Desire, a heartbreaking nose second to Gloria de Campeao in the Dubai World Cup on March 27, returns to action at Sha Tin on Sunday for a tilt at the Group 1. $1.8 million Queen Elizabeth II Cup at 1 1/4 miles on turf. Christophe Soumillon, who rode Lizard's Desire to victory in a pair of handicaps on the Meydan Tapeta surface this winter, reclaims the ride from Kevin Shea, who rode him in the World Cup.

Lizard's Desire, a South African-bred trained by Mike de Kock, has not run on turf since finishing second in the Group 2 Gold Circle Derby at Clairwood in South Africa in June 2009, but the switch back to grass will not pose a problem. Viva Pataca, a seven-time Group 1 winner at Sha Tin, is winless in his last six starts, while his heir apparent in Hong Kong, Collection, is an inconsistent sort who was ninth last time in the one-mile, Group 2 Chairman's Trophy. Presvis, an unlucky 11th from an impossibly wide draw in the Dubai Duty Free, had previously won the 1o1/8-mile, Group 2 Jebel Hatta at Meydan and is the defending champion for trainer Luca Cumani, having beaten Viva Pataca in last year's renewal by a length. He is the selection in a tight fit with Lizard's Desire.

In the Group 1, $1.5 million Champions Mile, three-time Hong Kong Mile winner Good Ba Ba faces a tough task off his eighth-place finish in the Dubai Duty Free. But this course-and-distance specialist, trained by Derek Cruz, still rates a favorite's chance with Weichong Marwing aboard. Sight Winner is 0 for 10 since winning this race last year, but Group 2 Zabeel Mile winner and Dubai Duty Free third Imbongi, back to his best distance for trainer de Kock, could surprise with Soumillon at the reins.