Olivier Doleuze can play the role of Santa Claus for Triple Trio punters at the Happy Valley meeting on Thursday night, and could be delivering a HK$9 million dividend to punters in his red and white suit on the Andreas Schutz-trained Upgrading.
Upgrading makes appeal as one of the few obvious banker plays in the final leg, in an extremely difficult set of TT races, and it would be no surprise to see the exotic produce one of the biggest dividends of the season.
Doleuze knows his charge well, having won on the Daggers Drawn gelding three starts back over the Happy Valley 1,650m course, and the flamboyant Frenchman will be keen to add to that success from barrier two.
Schutz's horse comes into this race after a 1 1/2-length third to Absolute Hedge last start and, despite his 129 pound impost, promises to be a leading contender again from the ideal gate.
Doleuze can manoeuvre him to a strong position early in the race behind a solid tempo, which looks likely to come from last-start winner Record High to his immediate outside, and Easy Ahead and Team Work from wider out.
Upgrading will be well positioned on the fence turning for home, and Doleuze should be able to shimmy up the rail to claim the prize easier than old Saint Nick down the proverbial chimney.
