Brett Prebble is in the driver's seat to land his first jockeys' championship and, with arch-rival Douglas Whyte stood down for two meetings, he has a golden opportunity to consolidate his six-win advantage with a bold chance on Victory Mascot in the middle pin of tomorrow night's Triple Trio at Happy Valley.
The Caspar Fownes-trained four-year-old has displayed an electrifying turn of foot to overhaul Class Four opponents to win three of his first seven starts this term - each one coming over the city track, including two over the 2,200m and a well-timed head success of Tremendous Plus over this course and distance (1,800m) two starts back off a back-breaking 131 pounds.
He did not get a pace to suit when only making late headway for seventh as the favourite behind Billion over the 2,200m in his first Class Three task on March 3, but has been given some quality time off to catch his breath.
Prebble has an impeccable record on Victory Mascot with four wins - one on rain-affected ground - and one placing. With Strawberry, Fortune Winner, Travel Guide and Bullish Win ensuring a genuine pace, Victory Mascot looks hard to deny from gate four under an attractive 117 pounds.
Trainer Paul O'Sullivan's Believe In Change has hit top form with solid back-to-back wins in Class Four at Sha Tin and looks ready to make his case felt in this higher grade.
He is a logical dual banker from gate three with Mark du Plessis, a suitable replacement for Zac Purton, who won't be able to make the weight. Travel Guide, Strawberry, Horace's Legend, Kenobe and Mr Topaz can duke it out for the final spot.
