Moreira set to return to the winner's enclosure after two-meeting ban

Mehboob
1.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Flash Famous
2.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

This Is Class
2.50 Happy Valley
2pts win

Joao Moreira will be hungry after missing two meetings through suspension and Flash Famous is just the type to give him a welcome back winner, in the Class 3 San Po Kong Handicap (2.15) at Happy Valley.

Patience and careful race placing are essential in Hong Kong and trainer Frankie Lor has applied both to this Australian import, who went 16 starts without winning last season and dropped 15lb in the ratings as a result.

However, the five-year-old has reversed that trend, registering three course-and-distance wins this term and stepping back up a grade, where he still looks capable of winning. His inside draw is a huge advantage with such a short run to the first turn.

Zac Purton: can win on MehboobCredit: Hugh Routledge

Defending champion Zac Purton added five winners to his tally in Moreira’s absence but he still trails the Brazilian by seven, so the task of getting Mehboob home in the Class 4 To Kwa Wan Handicap (1.15) has taken on added importance.

Moreira rides the John Size-trained rival Super Alliances, who would be more strongly fancied had he not drawn the extreme outside, which is a big negative. Purton has the edge here on a capable horse who he partners for the first time.

Matthew Chadwick has been aboard for all ten of Mehboob’s starts, including his maiden win over course and distance in November. He now runs off a mark 11lb higher but has never been out of a place in three starts since.

The in-form Vincent Ho, who has been battling injury of late, has an excellent chance of landing the closing Kowloon City Handicap (2.50), aboard the Francis K W Lui-trained This Is Class.

Ho and Lui have recently combined with Derby favourite Golden Sixty and although this is more bread-and-butter stuff, it would be foolish to underestimate This Is Class, a son of globetrotting stallion So You Think.

The five-year-old has quickly worked his way up the ladder and this looks a ready-made task for him.

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