Leading trainer John Size broke a rare losing streak on the weekend and Wednesday night at Happy Valley presents a great chance for another top performer to get back amongst the winners.
Brett Prebble was suspended for the last two weeks of December and has yet to get back to winning races at his usual rate, with just two successes this calendar year.
But Prebble has some excellent mounts throughout the Happy Valley fixture, and looks a contender right from the opening event.
Low grade stayer, Solar Wonder moved to David Hall during the off-season and has only had two outings for the Australian handler, the first in an unsuitable sprint and the latest over a more suitable distance but at Sha Tin, where Solar Wonder’s form has never been his best.
Returning to Happy Valley and 1,800m, Solar Wonder looks in the right race to get himself back in the winner’s circle from a nice draw.
Prebble’s ride in the second, Highest Acclaim, should also appreciate a return to the Valley after underperforming at Sha Tin last time. His runs at Happy Valley prior had been promising a coming win and his return to the quirky track should see him hard to beat.
In the third race, Prebble’s booking for Touch Go is a clear signal the Francis Lui-trained galloper is ready to fire as he drops back down into Class Three over his preferred course, the Valley 1,000m. Prebble has been on board Touch Go for only six of the horse’s 29 runs, but he has registered 2 wins, a second and two fourths from those rides – a significant slice of Touch Go’s career haul of 3 wins, a second and 3 fourths.
With Super Tiger, Very Well, Prolific Champion and Charles The Great later, Prebble is well-placed to go right on with the job and make a big night of it.
By Nathan Mody
