Dashing sprinter Jolly Gains will have conditions to suit again as he attempts to make it five wins around the Happy Valley course in tonight's Happy Valley Vase over 1,200 metres.
Jolly Gains (Douglas Whyte) has that brilliant speed from the gates that stands any horse in good stead around the tight, turning city track but he has also drawn gold with the pole position of gate one on the C course.
There's never a problem with the fence at Happy Valley anyway but with the rail out and the track tired, the C course is usually red hot for leaders and railers in the final meetings of every season.
Jolly Gains had his training interrupted by injury after he won first-up in September and has been restricted to just three starts this season.
However, trainer Manfred Man Ka-leung had him back to his best last start when he led throughout to win a similar trophy event at the Valley on May 18 and continued his great association with Whyte, who has been first or second on him in nine of 11 rides.
And that little bit of freshness for not having had much racing is probably going to be an advantage for Jolly Gains over many of his rivals at this late stage of the season.
Jolly Gains started a $28 favourite last time to soundly beat Tiger Ridge (second) and Move It (fourth) but they will face him on better weight terms.
