Purton expected to make up ground on Moreira
Clint Hutchison Hong Kong
The feature event on the card at Happy Valley today is The Sports Club Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup (Race 6) and there might well be a rather lucrative runner to wager at nice odds in the form of last-start winner Formula Galore.
This Caspar Fownes-trained galloper had to work quite hard to attain the lead on his last outing when winning over the course and distance in a lower grade and although the margin was fast evaporating inside the concluding stages, he was entitled to given the amount of early pressure. With the title-chasing Zac Purton riding the likely favourite in Top Score, the market will no doubt somewhat ignore the chances of Formula Galore who beat rather moderate opposition on his last outing.
However, this time, he may not have to work too hard in order to find the lead and with a light weight he is more than capable of going back-to-back.
He can be wagered Eachway, and a good reverse Exacta is Tony Millard’s Master Viking who has had clear excuses on his last couple of starts.
Young apprentice Victor Wong was left napping when he rode him a couple of starts back and providing he gets this sprinter out of the gates on terms this time, he has a huge chance.
Both Formula Galore and Master Viking could potentially control the speed and considering Top Score will need luck from back in the field, it could well pay handsomely.
In the absence of Joao Moreira due to suspension, Zac Purton has an excellent book of rides including in Race 2 aboard Super Chic. He was desperately unlucky on his last outing when he simply got stuck in a traffic jam, and providing he gets an even run at them this time - and there is no reason he shouldn't in a field of six - then he will be very hard to beat.
He will start the shortestpriced favourite of the meeting and clearly looks the horse to beat and can assist Purton in reeling in the deficit in the Championship.
Purton can add to his tally in Race 3 with Letsgofree. He gets a drop in grade and a favourable draw for this assignment, and has struck a particularly weak line-up.
He will take a power of beating. Although there is not much of this pint-sized galloper, he carried a similar weight to victory last season and might just have a class edge on this field. A Win bet is advised. SUGGESTED BETS: Race 2: No 2 Win Race 3: No 1 Win Race 6: No 11 Eachway