Purton’s heroics to continue at Happy Valley

Luke Middlebrook

Zac Purton can continue his rich vein of form at Happy Valley in Hong Kong on Wednesday in Race 6, the Class 3 1000m Handicap, as up-and-coming four-year-old Heroic Master looks poised to score two wins on end.

Heroic Master arrived unbeaten from two starts in Australia and despite not being able to continue his winning ways first-up in Hong Kong, he was far from disgraced with a solid third place after racing wide throughout.

Second-up, he came on in leaps and bounds, sent off a well-backed 7-10 chance and justifying the market support, drawing away to score a soft 1.50-length victory and with plenty in hand.

Heroic Master looks to have ample upside for the Frankie Lor yard and meets a moderate field this week where he stands out as hard to beat again. He should relish what looks to be a fast-run race and be hard to hold out over concluding stages.

Purton will also help trainer Jamie Richards land another win in Hong Kong when he remains onboard Rattan Kingdom in Race 5, the Class 4 1200m Handicap.

Rattan Kingdom has done no wrong in his first two starts for Richards, finishing runner-up on each occasion but having a few hard luck tales along the way. First-up he raced wide from the 700m and covered too much ground against the winner while second-up he was beaten by a wide barrier when the rider had to steady early.

Third-up now, fitness shouldn't be an issue and if things fall into place in the run for the five-year-old, he can go one place better.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: G One Excellent looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Drawn well in barrier 4, he can get the win. Nextmodel second start in this grade after dropping in class and can improve, expect them to push forward and give a good sight. Raging Blaze had genuine excuses last start and consider again. He’s a long-standing maiden but has been knocking on the door recently. Carry The Diamond should be highly suited by the drop back in distance and can improve. Take What You Need drops down in grade and start following.

Race 2: High Rise Soldier drops down in grade and start following. A wide-open Class 4 race but he brings solid Class 3 form into the race and looks to have a class edge. Mr Fun has been very well prepared with several trials, can run a race first-up but has drawn wide and needs luck. Prosecco has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve from the low draw. Sight Hero can upset some more fancied rivals on best form and has drawn nicely enough. Double Show had betting support last start and where there is smoke there is fire.

Race 3: Vincy will be suited by the rise in distance and can run well as Purton takes the ride. Kungfumaster Panda looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start, go on prior good form. Palace Pal has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve after a good run last start. Bright Kid looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form, but he’s erratic and will get back in the run, which won’t matter so much at this trip. Amazing Boy surprise tactics adopted last run when being ridden forward, can improve ridden quieter.

Race 4: Medic Elite had genuine excuses last week and consider again. With Purton in the saddle, he should receive far more luck in the run and can win. Owners’ Star has ability and is always dangerous in this grade, he’s the main danger. Flying Silver down in class in this race and should perform better, start to follow. Methane caught wide last start and covered extra ground before weakening, but that shouldn’t happen here from a low gate. Smart Cousin caught the eye last start when running home well.

Race 5: Rattan Kingdom last run suggested a win was very near. Coming into a low draw here, he looks ready to win. Flaming Passion has ability and should not be underestimated in this grade, expect improvement under Bowman. Hardly Swears ran the third fastest sectional time last start and will relish a better gate this week. Loriz an on-pace runner who could finish in the placings. Harmony N Home can bounce back a winner anytime in this class.

Race 6: Heroic Master more than capable of winning again in this race after shedding his local maiden tag most stylishly last start, the one to beat. California Deeply caught the eye last start when running home well. Special M looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form, have to respect with Bowman in the saddle. Crystal Powerful well prepared for debut and is worth considering for exotics, drawn well low to get a good run. Super Axiom should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way.

Race 7: Rewarding Together well supported last start and won accordingly, he looks capable of repeating the dose having drawn ideally in barrier 1. Harmony And Rich can bounce back a winner anytime in this class and will be expected to improve under Purton. Hand- some Bo Bo caught the eye last start when running home well and he can do the same here for Bowman. Rock Ya Heart good performance when returning to form last start and, from a low draw this week, can run well again. Ping Hai Galaxy caught wide last start and still ran well.

Race 8: Nearly Fine consistent form lately and can score here back to a better distance. Comet Splendido nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance from a good gate under the apprentice claim. Tianchi Monster finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and can upset at best form. Ensured last start placing was full of merit, nice effort and give a chance again. Intrepid Winner last start winner who remains in the same grade and looks to have more to come.