The battle between Zac Purton and Joao Moreira in today's Jockey Challenge looms as a mini-version of the pair's tooth and nail scrap for the overall title, and in a tight contest, the value is with Purton.
Purton leads Moreira by eight in the Jockeys' Championship heading into the 54th meeting. Today, both riders have a full book of 10 rides and in many races their rides loom as the standout picks.
There doesn't look much at all between Purton and Moreira, so taking the better odds - Purton's overnight quote of $2.75 against Moreira's $1.55 - is the best play.
Punters agreed early on, snapping up as much as $3.20 about Purton early, with Moreira's price originally drifting from an opening quote of $1.50 to $1.60. However, he firmed again last night.
The early and middle part of the program will have a decisive bearing on the result, with Purton and Moreira going head-to-head on fancied runners in just a few of their intriguing race-to-race battles throughout the day.
In race three Purton takes the ride on Paul O'Sullivan-trained three-year-old Gideon, an SCMP blackbooker when running home behind Medic Kingdom last start, while Moreira is engaged on John Moore's Stag Knight - a stunning three-year-old by Lonhro, featured as a trial pick in the Racing Post.
Race five is a fascinating duel, with Purton and Moreira both drafted to ride for David Hall - Purton rides Optimization Star, while Moreira is on Bamboo Dance.
