Zac Purton will partner David Hayes’ last-start winner Master Montaro (Toronado) in the Class 3 Cotton Tree Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Friday, but warns the four-year-old gelding will face a tougher task after an emphatic debut victory on 13 December.
“I think it was a good effort, it’s never easy for a PP (Privately Purchased Horse) to come to Hong Kong and win first time out,” Purton said.
“It wasn’t the strongest of fields but he drew wide (gate 10 of 14 runners) and I had to make a long, sustained run on him – he did a good job.
“It’s probably going to be a little bit harder this time when the rail is out a bit further.
“I feel it’s going to be a harder job for him this time but hopefully he’s taken benefit from that first up run and we can get a little bit of speed in the race and track up again and do the same thing.”
Drawn in gate 14 and to carry 133lb – up 5lb on his Hong Kong debut – Master Montaro remains a work in progress, according to Purton.
“He’s only had one start here so we won’t be putting the cart before the horse,” he said.
“We’ll let him continue to progress. But it’s not easy to win first time so he’s done a good job.
“He’s a big, strong horse – there was no doubt he was going to improve from the run and there’s no doubt he has.”
Sold as a Ready To Run 2YO out of Woburn Farm’s 2018 draft, Master Montaro won each of his two starts in Australia before being sold privately to Hong Kong interests.
