Purton booking looks notable for Caspar Fownes' ace

Southern Legend
1.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Shining Ace
2.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Aurora Pegasus
2.50 Happy Valley
2pts win

The most relevant jockey change at Happy Valley on Wednesday is the booking of Zac Purton for classy Southern Legend in the Group 3 January Cup (1.15), over 1m1f, the feature on a tricky nine-race card.

Purton last rode the Caspar Fownes star when he won the Group 1 Kranji Mile in Singapore seven months ago, and his engagement for the seven-year-old is a huge bonus, particularly against last year’s winner Simply Brilliant and Macau’s Sacred Capital.

It is widely accepted that Southern Legend is in the best form of his career, as indicated three starts ago when he beat a strong field in the Group 3 Ladies’ Purse over 1m1f at Sha Tin.

Neither a subsequent third in the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup nor an eighth in the Group 1 Hong Vase did anything to alter that view, and from an inside draw, he is expected to enjoy the run of the race behind Time Warp and Simply Brilliant, who should both go forward.

The full nine-race card at Happy Valley

Joao Moreira partners the Macau Derby winner Sacred Capital for the first time and that, too, is a noteworthy riding switch. The son of O’Reilly carries a big reputation and performed with credit when fourth in a Group 3 at Sha Tin on his previous visit to Hong Kong in November.

Purton and Fownes also combine with another major chance, Aurora Pegasus, who will attempt his fourth consecutive course-and-distance win in the closing Class 3 6f handicap sprint (2.50).

The progressive son of Iffraaj has been going up the handicap and must cope with a 6lb rise for his last win, but his gate 1 draw will counterbalance that inconvenience. Expect him to win again to enhance Fownes’s reputation as ‘King of the Valley’.

Moreira and champion trainer John Size can grab their share of the limelight with sprint specialist Shining Ace, who is strongly fancied to land the Class 3 6f handicap (2.15).

The four-year-old is remarkably consistent, having finished out of the first three places only once in his last nine starts. He also loves the tight Valley track, which is a big asset.

Members can read the latest exclusive tipping content such as Pricewise and Paul Kealy from 6pm daily on racingpost.com