Brett Prebble will return to Happy Valley after he was ruled out of racing on Wednesday (26 October) due to a virus, but he says he will be back fit and fighting on Sunday with a solid book of seven rides.
One of his most exciting mounts is David Hall-trained Victory Boys as he tackles Class 3 for the first time in the penultimate Hydrangea Handicap (1800m).
Victory Boys has won three of his last four starts over the Happy Valley 1650m since Prebble jumped back aboard the galloper, including a soft two-length victory earlier this month, and the rider was full of praise for the five-year-old as he prepares to step up in trip again.
"He's a nice horse, I really like him and I have done for a long time," he said. "I still think there's a fair bit of upside in this horse, mentally he's actually not there yet. David has done a fantastic job with him, he's got him a bit more mentally switched on, he's physically improved and he has a great body on him now."
"The ability has never really been the question with him, and stepping up into Class 3, I think he's there in terms of his progress. He has a great turn of foot, he gets them quick, and that's a big asset."
The son of Mastercraftsman has once again drawn awkwardly in gate 10, after drawing gate nine three times and gate 12 once in his last four starts, prompting Prebble to quip: "He just needs a bit of luck, although I think he's drawn out at every one of his wins so maybe he doesn't! It's scary to think what would happen if he drew a gate, he wouldn't have to be so far out of his ground and he wouldn't have to do it so tough." -HKJC
One of his most exciting mounts is David Hall-trained Victory Boys as he tackles Class 3 for the first time in the penultimate Hydrangea Handicap (1800m).
Victory Boys has won three of his last four starts over the Happy Valley 1650m since Prebble jumped back aboard the galloper, including a soft two-length victory earlier this month, and the rider was full of praise for the five-year-old as he prepares to step up in trip again.
"He's a nice horse, I really like him and I have done for a long time," he said. "I still think there's a fair bit of upside in this horse, mentally he's actually not there yet. David has done a fantastic job with him, he's got him a bit more mentally switched on, he's physically improved and he has a great body on him now."
"The ability has never really been the question with him, and stepping up into Class 3, I think he's there in terms of his progress. He has a great turn of foot, he gets them quick, and that's a big asset."
The son of Mastercraftsman has once again drawn awkwardly in gate 10, after drawing gate nine three times and gate 12 once in his last four starts, prompting Prebble to quip: "He just needs a bit of luck, although I think he's drawn out at every one of his wins so maybe he doesn't! It's scary to think what would happen if he drew a gate, he wouldn't have to be so far out of his ground and he wouldn't have to do it so tough." -HKJC