Russian Emperor is on track for his intended return in the Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m) on January 21 after pleasing Hugh Bowman in a barrier trial at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning.

Reuniting with Bowman for the first time since September 29, Russian Emperor stretched his legs in the 1,000m heat to finish seventh behind the likes of Lucky Sweynesse and Straight Arron.

“It’s the first time I’ve sat on him for a while,” Bowman said. “His action was good, his attitude was great and he seems good in the wind, so that’s all you can ask for at this point in time.”

After a left front fetlock injury ruled him out of the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m), the son of Galileo kept ticking over until he returned to the Sha Tin turf for a gallop last week.

Bowman, who partnered Russian Emperor in his Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) victory last season, said he was satisfied with the seven-year-old’s efforts ahead of his next target.

“He was bright and enthusiastic and coped with the 1,000m well. The last 100m was a bit sharp for him, but that’s to be expected,” Bowman said.

“It’s all a process and you need to go through it to get to where you need to be for race day. [The Stewards’ Cup] will be another stepping stone to get him prepared for his targets.”

With Golden Sixty on the sidelines, it was confirmed on Monday that Russian Emperor will face up to seven Stewards’ Cup rivals.

Among those entered is California Spangle and Bowman hopes the front runner can bounce back from his recent seventh in the Group Three Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1,400m) on New Year’s Day.

“He felt good to me,” Bowman said. “He was a little under par in that race, but I was really happy with him prior to the run. His attitude, his action and his demeanour were very positive before the race.”

California Spangle was third after a titanic tussle with Golden Sixty and Romantic Warrior in last year’s Stewards’ Cup, and Bowman believes a change in headgear could help the six-year-old get back on track.

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“I understand Tony [Cruz] might put some cheek pieces on him. A little tweak in gear might help him focus a bit more,” Bowman said.

Group One Hong Kong Mile runner-up Voyage Bubble, who produced an eye-catching effort to finish fifth in his 1,200m dirt heat on Tuesday morning, and Straight Arron, who ran on for fifth ahead of Russian Emperor on the turf, also feature in the entries.

Beauty Eternal, Beauty Joy, Fantastic Treasure and Healthy Happy complete the potential Stewards’ Cup line up.