Douglas Whyte is confident Russian Emperor is “as well as you’d want him” ahead of Sunday’s Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2,400m) but admits his stable star faces a difficult task off top weight.

Whyte opted to skip last weekend’s Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) with Russian Emperor and confirms his regally bred gelding is ready to roll in his final run before his Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) defence at the end of the month.

“He’s fit, he’s healthy and his main goal is the Champions & Chater, but having said that he’s as well as you’d want him for Sunday,” Whyte said.

Russian Emperor bids to become the first galloper since Bubble Chic 10 years ago to carry top weight to victory in the Queen Mother Memorial Cup. Jumping from gate 11, the son of Galileo must give at least 14 pounds to each of his 11 rivals.

The three-time Group One winner could only manage sixth under the same weight in last year’s renewal and Whyte, who triumphed in the contest as a jockey with Industrial Success in 2004 and Dominant in 2012, appreciates the challenge ahead.

“It’s difficult,” Whyte said. “I’ve won this race a number of times as a jockey and I don’t think I remember a horse carrying 135 [pounds] who won it.

“It’s renowned as a wet-track race and it’s renowned for having a lightweight winner. We’re here to do our best, but the Champions & Chater is our main goal.”

While Russian Emperor has failed to fire this season, he boasts an impressive record over the Sha Tin 2,400m and returns to the course and distance for the first time since triumphing in last year’s Champions & Chater Cup.

After he finished 10th over 1,600m in October’s Group Two Sha Tin Trophy, Russian Emperor failed to land a blow in the Group Two Jockey Club Cup (2,000m) and Group One Stewards’ Cup (1,600m).

The 117-rated galloper gave a good account of himself in his H.H. The Amir Trophy (2,400m) title defence in Doha – running on into fifth from the rear of the field – but failed to fire in his latest outing in the Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m).

While Russian Emperor is yet to finish in the money in Hong Kong this term, Whyte is excited to see his stable stalwart return to his optimal distance, with forecast rain an additional bonus for the stout stayer.

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“There are just no races for him earlier in the season and I had to pull the pin on him in the QE II Cup,” Whyte said. “But we’re getting to the business end, I’m excited. Hopefully this weather stays around for him, he’ll certainly excel in that.”

Russian Emperor will continue his partnership with Hugh Bowman in preparation for their Champions & Chater Cup hat-trick bid on May 26.

Among their opponents are Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) third, fourth and fifth placegetters, Ka Ying Generation, Chill Chibi and Unbelievable, hat-trick seeker Moments In Time and Senor Toba, who landed the Queen Mother Memorial Cup two years ago.