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Robin Parke

Progressive Skase Race can add further glitter to the early season success of trainer Derek Cruz by taking the Po Leung Kuk Centenary Cup at Happy Valley today.

 A rare day meeting at Happy Valley has been well supported with several competitive races and there will be a real tussle for the silverware in the 12-runner fourth event for Classes One and Two.

 There are just four from the elite band of local gallopers facing the starter.

 Skase Race has yet to reach the top echelon but given his form this season and his work since winning last time, it is a question of when, not if. And he should be safely there after today's event.

 The hard-working Cruz has been canny with Skase Race since his lone, successful start this season and mapped out this mile Cup event for him some time ago.

 Skase Race came out of his first contest in good shape and has been working like a winner.

 There seems little doubt that the New Zealand import has improved since that first-up effort which suggests the 10-point jump in the ratings - hefty as it was - may not necessarily stop a repeat of his win on September 17.

 On that occasion Skase Race, ridden by Brett Doyle who is aboard today, lay up on the pace and then cleared right away at the top of the straight to win, eased down by an official two lengths from Big Mac and Genius.

 It was a most convincing victory and Big Mac, after disappointing at his next start, did frank the form with an excellent effort at his last start.

 Genius, however, has done nothing for the form of the race.

 On the evidence so far, the mile seems to be ideal for Skase Race and he is a nimble type who can be right on the pace which suggests a bold showing on the city track with its bends and gradients.

 The 1,650-metre start at the Valley can be tricky and a reasonable draw is favoured.

 Skase Race and Doyle are in the middle of the field (seven) and it should present few problems with the gelding's good early pace.

 Cruz has almost certainly gambled on a Valley start in the knowledge that Skase Race is a naturally quick type and can gain a good position early.

 While Skase Race goes into the event with undeniable claims, it will be interesting to see how Lynx performs.

 Lynx came from a fair way back to score at 1,400 metres last time and the step up in distance should not be against him.

 Trainer Lawrie Fownes has certainly kept him ticking over but Lynx may well be as high as he would want to go. But he still represents tierce value.

 The David Hayes-trained Royal Attire had little luck in transit last time and his eventual third placing over 1,800 metres to Helene Treasure and Big Mac had considerable merit.

 He did finish three lengths adrift of Big Mac which suggests, on a line through Skase Race's last win, that he could have plenty to do. But Royal Attire seems in good heart and there were excuses last time so it could pay to keep him safe.

 Danetop has not developed into a top-grade type despite some early promise.

 However, he is reunited with Douglas Whyte who won on him over 1,400 metres at the back end of last season and he is fit enough for today's test after two starts this term. He appears to be working in good style and may be worth including if not at a ridiculous price.

 Topweight Magic Joy is not out of it as he was left a bit adrift in the middle stages of a fast-run race last time. If Alan Munro can keep him close to the action, there could be a final kick or two in this fellow and he is certainly not hopeless.

 Bottomweight Gaylord is offered as a rough outsider in that he has shown form over this trip before and David Harrison has struck a rich vein of winning form.

 Under Eric Saint-Martin last time Gaylord ran a fair race and some improvement could be expected.



Skase Race set to soar