Horse racing betting tips: Whyte looks Happy to roll back the years on Dragon

THIS afternoon’s Happy Valley racecard is the final chance for local jockeys to join the elite band of race-riders, including Ryan Moore, Hugh Bowman and US-based Javier Castellano, who compete in the International Jockeys’ Challenge at Happy Valley next month.

With Zac Purton, Karis Teetan, and Vincent Ho having already qualified for the event, there is still one place up for grabs.

Whizz-kid Matthew Poon is in pole position but is currently suspended, giving the likes of Chad Schofield and Douglas Whyte a chance to steal the glory.

Both need to ride a winner this afternoon and there is a distinct possibility that the former 13-time champion jockey Whyte can roll back the years and take the final spot with the world’s elite.

Whyte, who rode his 1800th winner in Hong Kong recently, is certainly not the force of old, but still shows a glimmer of his magical best from bygone years on occasion.

He has struck up a successful partnership with former champion trainer John Moore this season.

The duo have already secured a 25 per cent win rate and they could improve on that figure when they team up with HAPPY DRAGON in the 2.20pm over the extended mile.

This looks a highly-competitive handicap with the likes of Mr So And So and Racing Luck holding first-class chances, but this looks a good opportunity for Happy Dragon to show his true potential.

The four-year-old travelled like the winner in his previous two races, but just couldn’t get daylight when it mattered.

From stall two, he has the opportunity to finally make it third time lucky.

POINTER

Happy Dragon 2.20pm Happy Valley