Tony Millard and Zac Purton missed out with hot favourite Ambitious Dragon in the main race on Sunday, but the two combine tonight at Happy Valley with Genuine Leader, who looks an even better thing in the Craigengower Cricket Club Challenge Cup (1,200m).With wins over the Valley 1,200m at three of his six starts, Genuine Leader stands out as the horse going somewhere in a field of horses dreaming of their distant glory days.Genuine Leader's two starts this season in October and November were so
Tony Millard and Zac Purton missed out with hot favourite Ambitious Dragon in the main race on Sunday, but the two combine tonight at Happy Valley with Genuine Leader, who looks an even better thing in the Craigengower Cricket Club Challenge Cup (1,200m).
With wins over the Valley 1,200m at three of his six starts, Genuine Leader stands out as the horse going somewhere in a field of horses dreaming of their distant glory days.
Genuine Leader's two starts this season in October and November were soft wins in Class Four and Class Three and Millard appears to have taken the decision to give the gelding a break, since his vet reports and trackwork don't indicate problems.
Fresh again, Genuine Leader was simply out for a look around when he trialled on January 8 for Purton, finishing well back but never asked to finish any closer.
The gelding has not had a busy time of things as a five-year-old, with his handful of starts spread out over more than a year but that patience augurs well for him having his best ahead of him, something that isn't the case for most of those opposed to him tonight. From gate two, he has the tactical speed to sit in a trailing spot as Ride On the Fire, Loads Of Joy and Smart Kids work across from the outside, and that looks the right place to be on the "C" course.
With likely very cramped odds for Genuine Leader, the challenge for punters may be to find the quinella horse.
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