Victory Mascot eyes more joy at Valley
Six-year-old hasn't won this season but after a bout of dirt racing and on the Sha Tin turf, the gelding returns to his happy hunting ground
Tomorrow night's Triple Trio at Happy Valley, with the rail in the wide "C+3" position, looks one of this season's toughest, so much so that a horse boasting a none from 17 record this season - Victory Mascot - could be the best banker.
After a recent drop in grade, the Caspar Fownes-trained stayer comes back to the track where he has won six times, with the durable six-year-old having won two of those races over the course and distance of 1,800m.
What favours Victory Mascot (Brett Prebble), other than a switch back to the city track, is barrier four and the promise of a genuine tempo with the horses drawn five, eight and 10 - , and - all likely candidates to go forward.
The staying contests at the city venue are often muddling, but even if they go fast early, then slow in the middle stages, Prebble is one of the best of timing a run from near the tail to take advantage. Given either scenario, Victory Mascot will be loafing out the back and waiting for Prebble to push the button.
Others to include are (Tommy Berry), as he is two from four over the course and distance, last-start winner (Olivier Doleuze) and (Douglas Whyte) dropping in grade. (Weichong Marwing) could be the blow-out hope as he is down to a dangerous mark of 42.
There's not much between the top six chances in the second leg, a Class Four over the extended mile. (Derek Leung Ka-chun), (Ben So Tik-hung), (Berry) and (Tye Angland) all have chances, but the last-start runner-up performance of (Whyte) makes him the best banker.