Course-and-distance winner can score from key inside draw

Starlot
12.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Endearing
2.15 Happy Valley
1pt win

Arcada
3.50 Happy Valley
2pts win

It can be a soft landing when trainer Paul O’Sullivan comes down to earth at Happy Valley on Wednesday after the excitement of Champions Day at Sha Tin, with the Kiwi tipped to win the 6f sprint (12.45) with Starlot.

For a few strides on Sunday, it appeared the O’Sullivan-trained Pakistan Star might take the QEII Cup, but Japanese ace Win Bright gunned him down as he faded to finish fifth.

O’Sullivan took over the training of Starlot from Richard Gibson only two starts ago, and already the gelding has turned in a third and a fourth, indicating he’s on an attractive mark.

Gibson won over course and distance with the five-year-old off a rating 14lb higher, so with an inside draw and the capable Derek Leung in the saddle, Starlot looks the one to beat.

John Moore and Chad Schofield can combine for another win with in-form Endearing, who is poised to strike in the 6f handicap (2.15), a race in which Zac Purton’s mount E Master looks the danger.

If it wasn’t for an awkwardly wide draw, E Master might well have been first pick, but on the C+ Course stall 11 of 12 is extremely difficult.

There is a new face in the jockeys’ ranks in the shape of Aldo Domeyer, a well-credentialled South African, who has ridden more than 1,000 winners in his native country.

Domeyer, 32, who is licensed until the end of the season in mid-July, has three rides for compatriot Tony Millard and Arcada looks the best of them in the 1m½f handicap (3.50).

A winner two starts ago, Arcada finished third to Best Of Days in the 2016 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket when trained by Joseph O’Brien. He is in good form and should be followed again.

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