Zac Purton convinced switch to tighter city track will suit his sprinter

Dor Dor
12.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Be Ready
2.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Naboo Star
2.50 Happy Valley
2pts win

Focus is again on Hong Kong’s ‘big two’ when defending champion Zac Purton and arch rival Joao Moreira continue their daily battle, each trying to land the necessary winners to keep their title hopes alive.

They have been slugging it out since the first day of the season in September and Moreira has built up a handy lead of seven, chalking up 84 winners to Purton’s 77, but there is still a long way to go before the curtain drops in mid-July.

The Frankie Lor-trained Be Ready looks to be Purton’s best chance on an eight-race card – in the Class Three 6f sprint (2.15) – despite still being a Hong Kong maiden after five starts, all at Sha Tin.

Purton believes the switch to the tighter city track might suit the four-year-old, who was ultra consistent in his native Australia before export. Locally, he has been in the frame three times, his most recent effort being a solid third, beaten only a length and a quarter, in a 6f sprint.

Curiously, Be Ready’s handicap rating has varied only 1lb since his first run, so the change of scenery might just be what is required for him to reach the winner’s stall.

The full eight-race card at Happy Valley

Moreira can always rely on his strong ally John Size to come up with winners when he most needs them, and Dor Dor in the Class Four handicap, over an extended 1m (12.15) can carry on that trend.

The four-year-old had to wait until his 17th start before breaking through, over course and distance, last December. Two starts later, he served up a repeat, off a mark 6lb higher.

Significantly, he drew an inside stall both times, So gate three will be ideal. He looked very unlucky over course and distance last time.

Caspar Fownes has Naboo Star racing in top form and he has an excellent chance of landing his third win from four starts when lining up in the finale, the Class Three 1m1f handicap (2.50). A recent barrier trial was impressive.

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