Hong Kong: Purton looks to continue hot streak on Master Montaro

Master Montaro comes into the featured 10th race Sunday at Sha Tin holding strong form – but not as strong as his jockey’s.

Master Montaro won his most recent race by a commanding 1 1/2 lengths, geared down at the finish by jockey Zac Purton. Purton has a return call in Sunday’s feature and comes into this 10-race program having won with eight of his last 17 mounts. Purton won four races last weekend on the Sha Tin program and from seven mounts this past Wednesday at Happy Valley, Purton wound up with four more winners, a second, and a third. Winning at an amazing 27 percent clip so far this Hong Kong season, Purton, who has opened a 24-15 jockey’s race lead over Joao Moreira, has no one to thank but himself since Hong Kong riders book their own mounts.

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As for Master Montaro, the David Hayes trainee won this very race, 1,400 meters for Class 2 horses rated 100-80, while carrying 124 pounds on Oct. 1. Making his second start this season, Master Montaro, a 5-year-old Australian import by Toronado, tracked the pace while three wide without real cover, made the lead in upper stretch while barely being asked, and had opened about three lengths with 200 meters to run before Purton wrapped up on his mount the final 50 yards. Master Montaro carries 128 pounds Sunday, and the greater challenge could be his wide draw in post 13.

Californiadeepshot won a race at this level and distance on Sept. 5 but in the Oct. 1 race he led to the 400-meter mark before being swallowed up by Master Montaro and, eventually, three others. He carries 129 pounds with only top-rated Rattan, at 133, toting more weight. Rattan, a regular participant in stakes races last Hong Kong season, has turned in two relatively dull performances to begin his campaign.

The featured finale comes after three Class 3 handicaps on a card that starts at 1 a.m. Eastern on Saturday night. Wagering and live video is available at DRFBets.com.