Exultant a golden bet to secure more top-level success for Purton

Exultant
8.05 Sha Tin
2pts win

Dark Dream
9.15 Sha Tin
2pts win

Picken
9.50 Sha Tin
2pts win

Beauty Generation, at a prohibitively short price, dominates the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (7.30) but he is just one of many stars to be seen on an outstanding card at Sha Tin.

Apart from the International Races fixture in December, there has not been a raceday of such sheer quality all season, and most will eagerly await the reappearance of the brilliant John Moore-trained miler, with champion Zac Purton booked to ride.

The difference this time is that Beauty Generation is dropping back to 7f, while his chief rival Beat The Clock is stepping up from 6f. Both are in cracking form but the result should be the same as in this race last year – another victory for Beauty Generation – but he is not a betting proposition. Conte is third choice.

The Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup should go the way of Exultant (8.05), who can give Purton a quickfire feature race double.

The 1m2f trip is really going to suit Exultant, who produced a brilliant staying display to win the Hong Kong Vase in December. He has maintained his form and, with a strong pace expected, it paves the way for him to swoop late.

Zac Purton: has a good book of rides at Sha TinCredit: Vince Caligiuri

Simply Brilliant is a last-start winner capable of getting into the frame, while Northern Superstar, who was a decent horse in South Africa, is expected to improve for his recent runs.

Dark Dream (9.15) can make it a memorable day for Purton by taking the Hong Kong Classic Cup and furthering his Derby claims.

A wide draw destroyed his chance on his last start but he still finished strongly for fourth to his stablemate Furore, a run that suggested he would be all the better for a step up in distance.

As a former Queensland Derby winner he will be in his element over 1m1f and a draw in stall five will also be a help.

With Purton expected to dominate this card, arch rival Joao Moreira can still muscle in with the in-form Picken (9.50) in the Class 3 7f handicap.

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