Hong Kong View: Jim McGrath with three picks for Happy Valley on Wednesday

Faribault
12.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Howdeepisyourlove
1.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Red Lion
2.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

It sounds crazy to say, but Zac Purton could easily land another five-timer on a Happy Valley card that looks likely to favour punters.

Purton last registered five winners in a day just three weeks ago at Sha Tin. Since then, he has posted three trebles and a four-timer in an incredible purple patch that seems to be going on forever.

Consequently, he leads the jockeys’ championship on 64 wins, 39 clear of nearest rival Vincent Ho (25), with Silvestre de Sousa (23) in third. And demand for the Australian just grows, especially with De Sousa suspended and Alexis Badel out injured.

Interestingly, Purton has picked up two John Size-trained prospects who both caught the eye at the International Jockeys' Challenge meeting two weeks ago for very different reasons. Both emerged, however, as horses to follow.

Howdeepisyourlove looks ideally placed to open his account at the third time of asking in the 6f handicap (1.45), which is almost an identical race to the one he contested last time when ridden by Ryan Moore.

Unfortunately for Moore, the inexperienced three-year-old got back in the field from stall eight, and when attempting to make ground in the home straight he was severely hampered and lost all chance.

Stall one might not be the best spot for a horse who so far has not shown great early speed, but it is better than a high draw. With luck in running Howdeepisyourlove should prove too strong for HZ Tourbillon.

Purton takes over from one-time Melbourne champion Jamie Kah on the Size-trained Red Lion in the 6f handicap (2.15). This Belardo three-year-old won a handicap at the Curragh for Andrew Slattery and finished a respectable seventh to Thesis in Royal Ascot’s Britannia in June, and his last start when he flew home late to finish second at the IJC meeting was a cracker.

Purton can also land the 5f handicap (12.45) aboard the consistent Faribault, who can take advantage of a nice inside draw in three, with Circuit Seven, who is berthed on his immediate inside in two, the chief danger.

Happy Valley Placepot perm

12.15
3 Flying On The Turf
4 G One Excellent

12.45
2 Circuit Seven
9 Faribault

1.15
7 Turin Warrior
9 Viva Popcorn

1.45
1 HZ Tourbillon
5 Howdeepisyourlove

2.15
2 Nicconi County
3 Red Lion

2.50
1 Excellent Peers
11 Nordic Dragon

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote. The first race at Happy Valley on Wednesday is at 10.45am

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