Purton should be lucky at Happy Valley

Luke Middlebrook

All eyes will be on unbeaten three-year-old Lucky Sweynesse in Race 9 on Wednesday as he searches for a fourth straight success in the Class 3 1200m Handicap at Happy Valley Racecourse.

The youngster has taken all before him in three starts since debuting in early February and has swiftly ascended 28 points in the ratings from 52 to a current mark of 80.

Lucky Sweynesse was last seen 49 days ago on a wet and drizzly night at the city circuit, with the rare yielding track providing little deterrence to his winning chances as he let down with his trademark turn-of-foot to win comfortably enough by 0.50 lengths.

Given plenty of time to overcome the slog in the wet, Lucky Sweynesse has since turned in a usual impressive trial on 26 April under regular rider Zac Purton, taking out his heat easily by 2.25 lengths.

There’s no room to hide now for Lucky Sweynesse and atop of Class 3 lumping 60.5kg as a three-year-old is an obvious concern. However, his most recent seven-point hike seems generous given the gap back to third was 1.25 lengths and fourth place was a further 4.50 lengths astern.

Elsewhere, current premiership-leading trainer Frankie Lor sends out some decent chances across the night, but a standout comes up in Race 5 with three-year-old Gorgeous Vitality who can atone for a last-start defeat and score a maiden win in the Class 4 1000m Handicap.

Gorgeous Vitality has been steadily improving on each run and simply had no luck last start when a beaten 5-2 favourite.

He has been treated kindly by the barrier gods gifted barrier No 2, and provided a clean getaway, Purton should be getting him across the line with his nose in front.

Fractious in the barriers, he began only fairly and then was hampered by another horse, instantly putting him on the back foot, and forced to settle at the rear.

Thereafter, he was held up ended up tight for room from the 300m until obtaining full clear galloping room passing the 150m, eventually closing off hard and fast into third place and beaten 0.75 lengths.

Luke Middlebrook’s Selections:

Race 1: 3-8-5-2

Race 2: 3-8-1-7

Race 3: 3-11-5-4

Race 4: 9-7-4-2

Race 5: 10-1-11-7

Race 6: 4-1-2-9

Race 7: 7-6-1-9

Race 8: 4-8-10-9

Race 9: 2-11-3-8