Despite giving away a numerical disadvantage to his rivals, a couple of gun rides can propel Brett Prebble to Jockey Challenge success today.
Prebble, a $3.20 equal-favourite in early markets, has eight rides, less than fellow top-pick Zac Purton (10 rides), Douglas Whyte (nine rides, $4.75) and Tim Clark (11 rides, $6).
The quality of Prebble's mounts can see him through though - in particular Breeze Of Luck and Beauty Sparkle.
The David Hall-trained improver Breeze Of Luck is chasing back-to-back victories (see page two) and looks well-suited a step up to 1,800m.
Prebble combines with Caspar Fownes on exciting Beauty Sparkle, unbeaten in two New Zealand starts and equally impressive in his last dirt trial just over a month ago.
The three-year-old went to the line under a stranglehold by Prebble in a 1,050m heat on the all-weather track, and lines up on the same circuit today drawn well against a average-looking field.