Zac Purton and Benno Yung Tin-pang shared their first win of the new season on Saturday at Sha Tin but they shouldn't have to wait as long for the next one withShort Squeeze in tonight's St Andrew's Challenge Quaich (1,650m) at Happy Valley, reports Alan Aitken in the HK Racing Post.
Since Yung began training a couple of seasons back, he and Purton have struck at an impressive rate of around 20 per cent although they had to wait for All My Gain's victory on the weekend for their first win in 12 runners this term together.
Short Squeeze will be making his first appearance since National Day, October 1, though he doesn't look to have had too much interruption to his routine and his recent barrier trial under Purton and a dashing gallop mid-month suggest he comes to this in fine form.
Like many imports with previous race experience, he took a little while to get things together last season, but looked smart when he did in taking out a Class Four over 1,400m on the last day of last season and he appears well up to winning in this slightly higher grade.
Overlook his return this season, when Short Squeeze was caught wide and overraced, and tonight's race should break more suitably for the son of Danroad, who has a good draw and some versatility.
Short Squeeze is a potential leader but more likely takes a trail behind some fairly obvious leaders in Best Hope, Grand Harbour and Bullish Smart.
He is a slight distance unknown, with little guide from his only attempt on a very wet dirt surface in February, but if Purton can put him to sleep with some cover, he is strong enough at 1,400m to suggest it is within his compass.
Track and distance specialist Amazingly (Neil Callan) has won four races this trip and looks a danger from a good draw.
He was quite sound running fifth first-up this season, will be fitter and will be finishing very strongly at the finish of the 1,650m if there is any weakness in Short Squeeze.