Kurpany stands out at Happy Valley

Hong Kong – After a good meeting at Sha Tin on Sunday trainer John Size now leads Caspar Fownes 44-43 in the Hong Kong trainers’ championship battle.

Fownes, however, enters today’s Happy Valley card with a strong hand, with thriving fouryear-old Kurpany appearing all set to continue his winning ways when he takes to 1200m in the Class 3 Handicap in Race 7.

Kurpany has asserted himself as a dominant force at the city circuit of Happy Valley this season, winning twice and finishing runner-up from four starts while his run into fourth two starts ago had plenty of merit to it as he bombed the start before finishing hard and fast late.

Putting paid to that luckless run, Kurpany bounced back for a facile win two weeks ago, stalking the speed before letting down sharply inside the 300m for a soft 1.50-length win.

Kurpany tries 1200m for the just second time, and having returned some of the best late speed figures of the meeting in previous runs suggests he's ready for it, while in a race with just a few standout chances, he appears hardest to beat

Meanwhile, in-form fouryear-old Flying Genius is the one to beat in the Class 3 1000m Handicap in Race 4.

Flying Genius was an easy 1.75-length winner at this track and distance four starts ago, but since then, has been up against stronger company as well as racing with excuses.

Three starts ago, Flying Genius missed the kick and essentially took no part at the rear of the field, but still returned big late sectionals against the race shape, before going on to finish runner-up to Kurpany in his next two outings.

Against weaker opposition at Happy Valley this week, Flying Genius can get back to his winning ways.