Hong Kong: Jockeys Purton, Moreira in tight standings battle
The eight-race program at Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong on Tuesday will be a busy evening for jockeys Zac Purton and Joao Moreira, who are currently first and second in the standings.
Purton has 129 wins since the season began in September, a two-race advantage over Moreira. Moreira took off his mounts at Happy Valley last Wednesday, citing chest discomfort, and missed Saturday’s card at Sha Tin. He was medically cleared to resume riding by Hong Kong racing officials for Tuesday’s program.
Purton won three races at Sha Tin on Saturday to take the lead in the jockey standings, a status that could change several times before the Hong Kong season ends on July 16. Both riders are capable of winning multiple races on a day.
On Tuesday, Purton and Moreira have mounts on all eight races. In the final three races, class 3 races that are the highlights of the program, Purton appears to have an edge in quality mounts.
In the sixth race, a six-furlong handicap, Purton appears to hold an advantage aboard Never Too Soon, who was third by a neck in a similar race in his last start on April 20. Moreira rides Drops of Gold, who was ninth by four lengths on June 8, racing near the front to the stretch before fading in the final furlong.
They both must beat Sky Forever, who won a six-furlong handicap at Happy Valley on May 18 with a late rush.
In the seventh race, a handicap run at about a mile, Purton gains the mount on Win Win Fighter, who rallied to finish fourth in a similar race on June 1, missing by a length. Win Win Fighter was ridden by Karis Teetan in that race.
Moreira rides Storm Legend, who is winless in 10 career starts in Hong Kong and was a troubled ninth by only 2 1/2 lengths in a six-furlong handicap at Happy Valley on June 12.
In the final race, Purton rides Gorgeous Vitality, who won two class 4 sprint handicaps in May and earlier this month for horses with official ratings ranging from 40 to 60. The class 3 division is restricted to horses rated 60 to 80. Gorgeous Vitality was raised 12 points, from 59 to 71, after winning a five-furlong handicap at Happy Valley on June 1.
Gorgeous Vitality led throughout that race, winning by 3 1/4 lengths. While this is a tougher group, Gorgeous Vitality does not necessarily need to set the pace. He won as a stalker on May 11 at five furlongs.
Moreira has the mount on Special M, who finished eighth in a six-furlong class 3 handicap on June 8. Special M’s five-furlong races earlier this year were more encouraging.
The Happy Valley program begins at 7:15 a.m. Eastern, or 4:15 a.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.