Zac Purton gets off to a flying start to retain his title
Trevor Reid
Jockey Zac Purton started off the season pretty much as he ended last season and that is at the top of the game. Purton had the two winners on Sunday and is level with South African Grant van Niekerk.
With Joao Moreira now in Japan it should be plain sailing for Purton to retain the Hong Kong Jockeys Championship and he could start building up a nice early lead as he is currently carded to ride five favourites in the eightrace card today.
His first very good ride is Snowhooves in Race 2 who found form last season after switching yards and does look nicely handicapped.
The David Ferraris-trained Showing Character could be the biggest threat though as both his Hong Kong wins have come over this course and distance.
In Race 3 Country Star is having his first run but is rumoured to be a good one.
An awkward stall will not make it easy for Mr Right but he has won six times over this course and distance.
In the last three races Purton could be seen at his best as his rides Jumbo Happiness, Sky Melody and Fortune Booth all who look the ones to beat.
Jumbo Happiness in Race 6 will probably prefer it further as the season goes on but back from a break should be suited to this distance and from a good draw could win.
The best bet and banker for the exotics looks like Sky Melody in Race 7.
After a disappointing time last season Sky Melody looks to have made giant strides and has trialled very nicely recently.
Fortune Booth finished his season off nicely with a strong runner-up berth and could go one better this time.
On the South African connection front Van Niekerk has six rides for this meeting and Callan Murray has two.
Of his six rides Celebration in Race 1 could be the pick for Van Niekerk. Although yet to win in 14 starts, his last run was probably his best yet and a win could be at hand.
Charity Wings in Race 5 and Harbour Alert in Race 6 could also be considered fair rides.
Murray is capable of riding long-shot winners and his mounts London Master, Race 4, and Goldfield, Race 7, are 20-1 and better.