Hong Kong Horse Racing Tips: Jockey Purton to prove his Magic again with Legend

FOLLOWING the trainer-jockey partnership of John Moore and Zac Purton in Hong Kong has been a licence to print money at times this season.

They have combined on 48 occasions, with an incredible record of 20 winners and nine places.

At Happy Valley this afternoon, the combination will be looking to improve on that already startling tally when they team up with MAGIC LEGEND in the 2.15pm over five furlongs.

This five-year-old import was tipped to be Hong Kong’s next sprinting superstar after arriving from Australia in the 2016/17 season, winning his first four races and seeing his handicap rating spiral up 37lbs.

Since then, though, it’s all been downhill – he’s never won another race and the son of Red Element now finds himself back in Class3.

However, there was more than a glimmer of hope for Magic Legend when chasing home the potentially smart Yee Cheong Baby over course and distance at the end of last month.

On that occasion, emerging from a negative outside stall and having to work hard early to get into a prominent position, he found himself swinging five-wide on the entrance into the straight.

But he still managed to finish strongly, breaking the magical 23- second barrier for the final 400m in the process.

Moore is a past-master with horses that lose their way, getting them back to their best with his patience and meticulous planning.

Recent dual winners Helene Charisma and injury-prone Good Standing bear testament to that fact.

This time, from an inside draw, and more importantly with Purton climbing aboard for the first time, Magic Legend can finally find himself back in the winners’ circle.

POINTERS

Magic Legend 2.15pm Happy Valley