Zac is back and has plenty of reasons to be cheerful at Happy Valley

Fortune Bo Bo
2.45 Happy Valley
0.5pts win

Dragon Pioneer
2.45 Happy Valley
0.5pts win

The Judge
3.15 Happy Valley
1pt win

Cheerfuljet
3.50 Happy Valley
1pt win

The fact that Zac Purton is back makes it tempting to take a crack at all the last three races on Happy Valley’s Wednesday card.

Hong Kong’s most celebrated Australian rider will probably come up just short in his bid to seize Joao Moreira’s jockeys' title but the booking of Purton often yields dividends and his presence aboard Cheerfuljet in the Seoul Handicap at 3.50 is notable.

Purton was aboard this Caspar Fownes-trained gelding for two impressive wins here before the turn of the year and was in the irons again when he finished an excellent second here in February.

Others have taken the controls on his last two starts, but Cheerfuljet showed that he’s still in fine fettle when chasing home an improver here five weeks ago and anything north of 3-1 makes him a very fair bet indeed.

Purton links up with 'King of the Valley' Fownes again at 3.15 and several key signs suggest The Judge can lay down the law in the Daegu Handicap.

Time has shown this capable grey was up against highly progressive rivals when second over course and distance twice earlier this year.

The Judge shaped well again when fifth under veteran rider Eddy Lai in a strong handicap last week, but he took a circuitous route in doing so and Purton’s ability to plot a smoother passage could make a big difference here.

The record reflects that Fortune Bo Bo has won two from three with Purton aboard and the fact that Benno Yung’s gelding is back to his last winning mark of 80 is an added plus in The Korea Racing Authority Trophy at 2.45.

Stall niNE is wider than ideal but he looks poised to go well along with the equally speedy Dragon Pioneer, who is also worth a small bet in a race where a couple of the market leaders look vulnerable.

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