Champion jockey Douglas Whyte and the man who may be champion trainer, Tony Cruz, have proved a potent team and they can continue that association with Best Fit in the Maverick Star Handicap (1,200m) at Happy Valley tonight. After having five rides for Cruz over a six-year period up to the end of last season, Whyte has combined with the leading yard seven times this term for an outstanding five wins. He links with Cruz on Super Genki earlier in the night, then takes over on Best Fit as that hors

Champion jockey Douglas Whyte and the man who may be champion trainer, Tony Cruz, have proved a potent team and they can continue that association with Best Fit in the Maverick Star Handicap (1,200m) at Happy Valley tonight. After having five rides for Cruz over a six-year period up to the end of last season, Whyte has combined with the leading yard seven times this term for an outstanding five wins.

He links with Cruz on Super Genki earlier in the night, then takes over on Best Fit as that horse comes off a thorough belting behind Supreme Win over 1,400m at Sha Tin that punters would do well to overlook.

Best Fit's form prior was excellent, twice having the best of Horse Galore - on the all-weather and over this course and distance - and assembling a record of six starts for four wins. But stepped up to 1,400m for the first time last start, Best Fit was keen rolling along in the lead and Matt Chadwick told the stewards that counted against the three-year-old when he asked him for an effort in the straight.

The day might come when Best Fit handles 1,400m but, quickly passed on that occasion, he was readily beaten and just didn't look ready for it at this stage. Dropping to 1,200m again - over which the gelding is unbeaten in two attempts - and well drawn in gate three, Best Fit should settle down better.

He has pace drawn inside him in Horse Galore and Super Boy drawn outside him but that is probably about it for the lead runners, so Best Fit's pace is going to be a valuable tactical asset.

The dangers come from lighter weighted runners, with Caspar Fownes' Best Win (Olivier Doleuze) prominent among them.

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