Purton on Red alert as he builds up to Melbourne mission

Manful Star
12.45 Happy Valley
1pt win

Red Warrior
3.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Country Star
3.50 Happy Valley
1pt win

Champion jockey Zac Purton will be hoping a win aboard the progressive Red Warrior (3.15) in a Class 3 handicap at Happy Valley on Thursday proves a lucky omen for a more adventurous mission to Melbourne at the weekend.

Purton is booked to ride the Ed Dunlop-trained Red Verdon in Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup for former Hong Kong Jockey Club chairman Ronnie Arculli, who is also the owner of Red Warrior.

Many things appeal about Red Warrior, who impressed when winning last time out on only his second appearance in Hong Kong. Formerly named Rusper, he was trained by Jamie Osborne for three wins in Britain before joining John Size.

The selection has scope, which helps tip the scales in his favour despite meeting Amazing Satchmo 6lb worse for beating that rival a length and a half three weeks ago.

He has to overcome a wide draw (12), but we will leave the logistics of that challenge to the enterprising Purton in his never-ending quest for winners.

Purton and Size combine again for another likely winner in promising Country Star (3.50), who trialled particularly well in strong company last week. He has a relatively simple task in this Class 3 6f handicap, in which Little Bird looks the danger.

Watch out also for South African jockey Grant Van Niekerk early on the card when he rides Manful Star (12.45) in a 6f Class 4 handicap for trainer Ricky PF Yiu.

He has picked up the ride at the expense of Umberto Rispoli, who made an early commitment to Love Chunghwa thinking the race would split.

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