Punters can bank on Purton to upset Prebble
In one of the most open Jockey Challenge markets of the season, Zac Purton may have just enough firepower to scrape home as $4.25 second favourite at Happy Valley tonight.
Brett Prebble resumed with a narrow Challenge win at Sha Tin on Sunday and was posted overnight as the $3.80 elect, but, despite a couple of strong rides in Turbo King and Noble Conqueror, he looks vulnerable with only four supporting rides.
Purton has only five rides, but with good chances on Romantic City, Quantum Power and Good Job, he looks the better value at the slightly longer quote.
The David Ferraris-trained Good Job has strong claims in the opener from gate three and Purton is sure to give him every chance to break his duck at start 13. Quantum Power makes his debut after a nice 1,200m barrier trial win at Happy Valley for trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai, and a forward showing is expected after he came up favourite in the overnight win pool.
If Purton can rack up early points care of those two and add to the tally with Handsome Batchelor or Ever Beauty, then his Challenge backers can sit comfortably in the knowledge that he finishes in strong fashion.
Romantic City made a huge impression at his first start at the Valley last time and, after a good blow-out down the straight in a barrier trial win, the Yiu-trained galloper looks set to remain unbeaten at the city track.
