Trainer Peter Ho Leung's The Untouchablelad has been threatening to erase his maiden status in recent runs and can finally get the job done in the opening leg of tomorrow's Triple Trio at Happy Valley. The Untouchablelad has unleashed a sterling late burst to come from near last to pick up straight thirds over the 1,200m at this course, and came up a neck short last time out only when tackling the 1,650m for the first time. The New Zealand-bred son of Monolith was still last and widest out at the final bend, but clocked just under 23 seconds for his final section while making up heaps of ground late down the centre of the track to get within a neck short of Record High. The three-year-old will need to tackle a three-point penalty for the effort, but with Absolute Hedge, Fantastisch and possibly Unique Speed ensuring an honest pace, he can topple them all late with regular rider Alex Lai hoi-wing doing the honours from gate three. Absolute Hedge was also having his mile debut in that Record High race and, after stalking the leader out wide from his poor gate, the son of Justice Prevails weakened late to just finish outside the placings. He looks a logical dual banker play with in-form jockey Douglas Whyte looks set to give him a cosy run from gate one, while Perfect Ten, New Idea, Bobo Win and The Witch's Broom are other logical choices. In the middle leg, the Tony Cruz-trained Blade Force looks an ideal banker play. The son of Danehill Dancer has rounded into top form since a move to blinkers - adding to a pair of thirds with a handy all-the-way win last time out in Class Four over this course and distance. The three-year-old missed his intended Class Three debut on January 6 after getting away from his handler and doing a lap on the track, but looks none the worse in his lead-up work. Matthew Chadwick will give them something to chase from gate three and off a light weight. Bolero needs to defy a wide gate in his course debut, but has been itching to do some damage in four runs, including a three-deep trip for fourth in a rich Class Three over 1,400m, and must be fancied with leading rider Brett Prebble engaged, while Elegant Win, North Hill, Nugget Warrior, Team Work and Victory Conqueror are all chances. It is a tricky final leg, but if Prebble has done his homework correctly, Flying In looks a definite chance. Prebble passed on other realistic chances, Happy Ambassador and Royal Pumpkin for this Manfred Man ka-leung charge, whom he has been working of late after a nice third earlier this month behind Packing Buddy. Besides Happy Ambassador and Royal Pumpkin, Classa, Champion Lad, Sapelli and Bullish Win can figure in the finish.
