Photos by LeeMingDonald

Zac Purton should dominate the 10-race card on Saturday and boot home a few winners. Undoubtedly the most talented jockey in Hong Kong, Zac has 115 winners this season already from 525 mounts which is a win percentage of nearly 22%. Zac has ridden in 66 race meets this season -in only 10 of these was he winless. He has ridden a single winner in 19 meets, doubles in 22 meets, trebles in 11 meets, quadruples in 2 meets, and five and six wins in one meet each. His live chances include (in my order of preference) Band of Brothers, Ultimate Glory, Jimson the Dragon and Good Standing.


The following three races seem the most appealing from a betting perspective.

Fourth Race - # 2) Little Wise Man has finished second in his last two starts and will now be ridden by trainer Frankie Lor`s brother-in-law Peter Ho (not to be confused with trainer Peter Ho Leung). In his last start, Little Wise Man beat Jolly Convergence by a length who subsequently came out and won. This form reference points to Little Wise Man being able to get the measure of Super Euro Star (who relishes the Sha Tin 1200 meters as evidenced by the nearly 1.4 million in prize money won over this course and distance). An interesting runner in this race is the Jimmy Ting trained Speedy Missile who has had three good Barrier Trials. Super Model is another horse with a chance here and is down to a rating of 41. His connections are probably angling for a class drop -- his trainer Danny Shum has booked jockey Alvin Ng whose last win was nearly a year ago.


Fifth Race - # 3) Ultimate Glory relishes the 1400-meter trip at Sha Tin. He has accumulated more than 2.5 million in prize money over this course and trip (more than any other runner in this race). He finished a length and half fourth to Band of Brothers (who we are tipping as the day`s best in the last race) and ahead of Buddies who came out and won on Wednesday. Hinyuen Swiftness`s last run over the extended mile (where he could not lead) at Happy Valley can be ignored. Hinyuen Swiftness will be ridden by visiting Macau-based jockey Peter Ho and can run a cheeky race. Nice Kick won his last start well in Class 5 and can fill the frame.


Tenth Race - # 12) Band of Brothers shapes as the best bet of the card. This Paul O`Sullivan gelding is up in class, but should be able to complete a hat-trick by beating the seven-year-old Mighty Maverick whose jockey, apprentice Alfred Chan will try and steal a march by hitting the front. Picken and Winning Endeavour are the others who will make the race interesting.


Tenth Race - # 12) Band of Brothers shapes as the best bet of the card. This Paul O`Sullivan gelding is up in class, but should be able to complete a hat-trick by beating the seven-year-old Mighty Maverick whose jockey, apprentice Alfred Chan will try and steal a march by hitting the front. Picken and Winning Endeavour are the others who will make the race interesting.

Here are the selections for the card.