Hong Kong Horse Racing Tips: Purton’s Dream of 100th winner set to Come True
REIGNING champion jockey Zac Purton will surely arrive at Happy Valley today full of confidence that he can complete another century of winners.
The 36-year-old Australian is now the dominant force in the HK jockey ranks and doesn’t appear to have been affected by the nervous nineties wobble that many sportsmen get.
Purton is riding the crest of a wave and again sent his thousands of supporters home happy following another four-timer at Sha Tin last Sunday.
With 98 winners to his name and seven rides on the eight-race card today, he will be heavily odds-on to reach three figures by the end of the meeting.
The Zac-Man has added a steely resolve to his armour and thinks nothing of get ting on the phone to connections and jocking off his colleagues when he thinks there is a winner to be had.
Silvestre de Sousa and Karis Teetan can already testify to that and now it’s the turn of unfortunate Martin Harley to find himself on the sidelines, after finishing an unlucky fourth on Seven Heavens at Sha Tin last month.
Connections have turned to Purton again in the hope he can conjure an overdue success on the former John Gosden galloper, who lines-up in the 3.15pm over six furlongs.
This looks a highly-competitive sprint with the likes of Infinity Endeavour and Speed Vision in opposition and there may be better opportunities for the champ to shine on the likes of Show Mission in the opening event at 12.15pm, Le Terroir in the 2.15pm and especially DREAM COME TRUE in the 1.45pm over five furlongs.
This Australian-bred four-year-old, who was only having his second run back after a nine-month break, just failed to withstand the late challenge of in-form Speedy King over track and trip three weeks ago.
This time, from an all-important inside barrier, he is mapped to dash to the front from the off and is capable of withstanding any strong finishers down the home straight.
Benno Yung, the trainer of Dream Come True and former assistant to John Size, may also fancy his chances of completing a double, as he saddles Happy Force, with Purton in the saddle again, in the finale at 3.50pm over the extended mile.
This Australian import has been a revelation this season, having scored three times over seven furlongs at Sha Tin, including victories over the likes of subsequent winners Right Choice and Noble Steed.
He now races at the inner-city track for the first time and also steps up in distance.
On his most recent appearance when fifth at Sha Tin last month, he did look light in condition and work-watchers report he has lost more weight for this afternoon’s contest.
Bearing that in mind, it might pay to take a chance with the Joao Moreira-ridden HAR HAR HEART who has been the perennial bridesmaid this year, finishing runner-up four times in his last five races.
There have been extenuating factors for this record, with the John Size gelding always having either awkward or outside draws.
At last he has finally drawn an inside number which will allow him to sit much closer to the early pace and then deliver his impressive finishing kick down the home straight.
POINTERS
Dream Come True 1.45pm Happy Valley
Har Har Heart 3.50pm Happy Valley