Putting your faith in Zac Purton can pay off at Happy Valley

Gift Of Lifeline
2.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Fat Turtle
2.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Happy Dragon
3.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Zac Purton started one of Hong Kong’s showcase weeks with a treble at Sha Tin on Monday and he can carry on the good work with more winners on a tricky card at Happy Valley.

Defending champion Purton, who rides in seven of the eight races, currently leads nearest rival Karis Teetan 104-69 in the title battle, with ‘Magic Man’ Joao Moreira third on 56.

Despite his dominance, Purton's mounts can still represent value. Local punters will be keen to oppose Fat Turtle (2.45) in the Korea Racing Authority Trophy, a Class 3 6f sprint, essentially because he is drawn in stall 11, which is seen as a big disadvantage on the ‘C’ course at the tight city track.

But Fat Turtle, a son of Smart Missile, is a talented type in this grade, and recorded a first-up win at the Valley last month prior to finishing a good second at Sha Tin when again drawn awkwardly.

He just might prove a little better than Class 3 level, so could be another good winner for Purton and trainer Frankie Lor.

Purton can follow up with victory aboard the John Moore-trained Happy Dragon (3.15) in a Class 3 handicap, over 1m1f, a distance at which the five-year-old excels.

A course-and-distance winner two starts ago, this son of Raven’s Pass – who is out of a Galileo mare – is poised to strike again, and should enjoy the run of the race from stall six. A genuine pace is all that is required for him to win.

Teetan, typically in demand with a full book of eight rides, can land the Class 4 6f sprint aboard the Tony Millard-trained Gift Of Lifeline (2.15), a smart three-year-old son of Pierro who won over course and distance two starts ago.

Drawn attractively in gate five, he should be poised behind the leaders.

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