Useful sprinter Prosperous gets the draw and the scenario to suit and looks the horse to beat in tonight's Rotary Centenary Challenge Cup (1,000m) at Happy Valley.Prosperous (Douglas Whyte) hasn't exactly been a prolific winner, with his 26 starts producing three victories, but the Derek Cruz-trained six-year-old has been consistent to a fault when conditions have given him his chance. All three of his wins have come on the Valley 1,000m course, running on late over the top of the quicker horses
Useful sprinter Prosperous gets the draw and the scenario to suit and looks the horse to beat in tonight's Rotary Centenary Challenge Cup (1,000m) at Happy Valley.Prosperous (Douglas Whyte) hasn't exactly been a prolific winner, with his 26 starts producing three victories, but the Derek Cruz-trained six-year-old has been consistent to a fault when conditions have given him his chance.
All three of his wins have come on the Valley 1,000m course, running on late over the top of the quicker horses, but crucial to his chances is a soft barrier draw, which he gets tonight.
In eight attempts over the Valley 1,000m from low gates, Prosperous has won two, been placed another four times and only once missed a cheque when a close sixth.
His most recent outings at the trip from a draw six or lower have brought a Class Four win in October and most recently his third to Super Plus (Keith Yeung Ming-lun) in November, and he has posted solid efforts since when not as well suited by the draw.
He should be peeling up the rail as the speedsters match up in the run to the turn, then overhaul them under his light weight in the straight.
Despite the small field, the race looks to have a few chances. (www.racing.scmp.com)