It's a good bet, all things being equal
There's no mouth-watering, $55-million jackpot carried forward to tomorrow night's Triple Trio at Happy Valley, but there's still the potential to win plenty on this brilliant bet.
The beauty of the bet is its democratic nature. When there are full fields of 14 runners there are some 48 million possible winning combinations.
And with a minimum unit stake of $5 the total outlay can soon build up so the Triple Trio, which requires the first three to be found in any order in races three, four and six, doesn't easily lend itself to being plundered by the big computer teams.
They are in a position to make a substantial outlay in an attempt to nail these jackpot pools but this puts them on the horns of dilemma. They may make a substantial outlay but they also run a considerable risk of losing the whole lot due to those 48 million possible winning combos.
Meanwhile, along comes the man from Mongkok with his $135 dollars, or $360, and whooshka, a quick $30 million jumps in.
That's the inherent democratic nature of the bet which is surely the best wager ever invented. It captures the imagination of the territory on a regular basis that only the Grand National can do for racing in England, or the Melbourne Cup can do for racing in Australia, on an annual basis.
Tomorrow night, Fast Action may be the best banker in the opening leg, a Class Five sprint over 1,200 metres.
Fast Action scored at this trip two starts ago at Sha Tin and was far from disgraced last time out over 1,000 metres behind Gold Talent.
Trainer Ivan Allan runs both Fast Action and Applause with stable jockey Basil Marcus on the latter, one who should also run well.
But it is Fast Action who is preferred and Allan has taken the trouble of securing the services of Douglas Whyte which is another plus factor.
Fortune Winner ran much better last time behind Good Choice and has to be respected while Chief Commander has not stopped improving and could rattle home into the placings. Sir Valid is over his best course and distance.
Power Rangers is particularly strongly fancied to run into the placings in the fourth, the middle pin of the Triple Trio.
Trainer Bruce Hutchison's horses have been running really well over the past two or three months and his win tally of nine doesn't do him justice as he's also sent out 20 seconds.
Power Rangers ran much better last time and appeals as the right horse in the right race.
Accomplished Australian jockey Patrick Payne rides the Valley particularly well.
Treasure Spring is now working better than ever and is down to a competitive rating while Strike A Fortune ran a much improved race at Sha Tin last Saturday and backs up significantly quickly.
The final leg is a difficult affair as while it is only a Class Four contest, this sixth event features a number who are likely to be winning out of this grade within a season.
Po On Power and Healthy Star are almost worth taking as double bankers.
Po On Power benefited from the move up in distance to win last time and, while this is harder, he looks a typical John Moore-trained galloper who is set to go right on with things.
Healthy Star disappointed last time but was found to be wrong afterwards. He's been nursed back to peak condition by the patient Wong Tang-ping and is now flying. Whyte is the man on top and this is a very potent combination.
Treasure had the run of the race when scoring last time but he could get another soft lead again tomorrow night so don't leave him out.
Furioso has very solid form claims while Merry Maple was trapped out wide the whole way last time and could now run an improved race.
