Precision Magic has taken more than a few runs to hit full stride, but has come right in his past three starts and again looks hard to keep out of the finish in the opening leg of Sunday's Triple Trio at Happy Valley, which is expected to reach a mouth-watering HK$48 million. The Almond Lee-trained four-year-old had only worked home late to finish fourth over the 1,400m from his first six starts, before making a spirited bid in the closing stages for a good second behind Classa Supreme over this mile trip on February 3 for premiership leader Brett Prebble. Lee had him in the line-up 18 days later in a dirt mile and he came from last to score a convincing length win. Hoping for a repeat result a month later, Precision Magic found only Win-A-Lot too good. He is unknown with the visor added, but is likely to get a cushioned ground to his advantage and, with in-form Zac Purton replacing suspended Prebble, he remains the clear banker play. Harry Harry returned to form with a close third from an inside gate over this trip last start and merits respect, while Record High, Ottimo, Viva Guy and Mega Bullet are other contenders for a placing. The middle leg is tricky, but Wonderful Gains returned to form last month with a neck second behind rival Classic Energy when tackling this marathon trip for the first time. He has claims to go one better with Douglas Whyte guiding from gate six. Zephyrus has rounded into form with straight placings, including a trip third behind Victory Mascot, and can figure, while Fantastic Dancer, Floral Nirvana, Best Noodle, Breaking Point and poorly drawn Classic Energy are other possible chances. Ocean Prince was hindered by a wide gate in five earlier runs, before coming up a short-head second behind Absolute Hedge last start over this Valley trip from an inside gate. He looks an ideal banker in the final leg with Weichong Marwing taking over from apprentice Kevin Leung Ka-wai, who will be on arch-rival Travel Guide. The Dennis Yip Chor-hung-trained Travel Guide had every chance when a close fourth in that same Absolute Hedge race, but had made the frame in five earlier Valley runs, including two wins over this trip, and remains in good order. He can play a double-banker role. Upgrading, a much-improved third in that same Absolute Hedge race, can make the result straightforward, while Great Guy, Vilasol, Young Hero and Happy Master are value chnaces if one of the top three throws a stinker.
