A transformed Pocket Money should continue his march up the ladder in the Gome Cup (1,400m) today at Sha Tin and provide reigning champion rider Douglas Whyte with a much-needed victory. With Brett Prebble coming at him full bore in the jockeys' championship, Whyte has to make the best of every opportunity to keep his momentum rolling along and Pocket Money has the form to declare himself the horse to beat in the Class Two feature today. Since his shift from Sean Woods to John Size mid-season, Pocket Money has thrown off the impression of not having lived up to expectations. Instead, he has been a model of consistency, runner-up to promising Fellowship on one occasion with a big weight and earning a cheque every start. At his most recent outing, Pocket Money took the rise to Class Two and with a postage stamp weight was never going to lose in beating Egyptian Ra with some authority over this course and distance in a fast time. The runner-up, of course, then franked that form by coming out to win and the fourth placegetter, Skyview Bay, also landed a win at his next start. From gate two, Whyte should once again give Pocket Money the run of the race before emerging with his challenge at the 200m, and the way he finished off his race in victory last start, it is unlikely his rivals will have the goods to get past him. Prebble has been 'Whyte-like' in his accuracy lately in getting on the right rides and with the obvious race favourite already in his rival's hands, he has done the next best thing by securing Grand Cru from Francis Lui Kin-wai. Prebble was aboard when Grand Cru won earlier in the season, then the four-year-old went off the boil, but his run behind Royal Prince last time was enough to suggest he is back in form. It should prove another great tactical battle, as Grand Cru's racing style is very similar to Pocket Money's and the two horses have drawn gates one and two. Look for improvement from Down The Wicket (Gerald Mosse), who should appreciate the step up to 1,400m after a decent effort behind Medic Power last start over 1,200m. The three-year-old has shown progress in each of his runs and the Almond Lee Yee-tat stable is hotter than July right now.
