Genuine winning chances have been few and far between for Luke Ferraris in recent weeks but the young South African will have a spring in his step when he walks into Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Ferraris has converted his past two rides aboard favourites into victories – California Deeply on December 12 and Kung Fu Tea on January 4 – and it is the former who headlines the 21-year-old’s book at the midweek meeting.
“It’s looking better than what I’ve had recently, and I’ve pulled some decent barriers as well,” Ferraris said of his book of rides.
The Tony Cruz-trained California Deeply is shooting for a third straight win in the Class Three Chater Handicap (1,000m) and the three-year-old has drawn nicely in barrier one.
“He’s going very nicely. He’s got a great turn of foot on him, and he’s trialled up well since his last win, so hopefully he can maintain his form,” Ferraris said.
“When he first started racing, he always got a little bit lost and was a bit far out of his ground, but his turn of foot has made up for that.
“Each run he has progressed. He’s a lot sharper out of the gates, and he’s finding his feet quicker, so I’ll put him where he’s comfy, and he’s got the turn of foot to pick them up. He’s got the draw to his advantage, and where he’s happy, I’m happy.
“Obviously, he’s gone up in the weights, which makes it a bit tougher, but he looks like a very progressive type, and hopefully, he can show us his best on Wednesday.”
Ferraris also has winning chances aboard a pair of last-start runners-up, with another Cruz-trained galloper in Righteous Arion heading into the second section of the Class Four Club Handicap (1,200m) after showing significant improvement on his previous run.
“He’s been a bit of his own worst enemy,” Ferraris said of the three-year-old, who is having his fourth career start.
“Two starts ago, he over-raced terribly and was throwing his head around, so then last start we just wanted to see him switch off and fall asleep and quicken like he did.
“He did that well, so hopefully, he’s learning. He would have come on from that quite a bit. If he can jump out and fall into a midfield spot and relax, there’s no reason he can’t repeat that last run.”
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The Chris So Wai-yin-trained Copartner Era does not win out of turn but has looked to be building towards a fifth career success ahead of his appearance in the Class Four Hong Kong Club Challenge Cup (1,65om).
“Obviously, the 135 pounds is a bit of a worry, but he’s pulled a smart draw again and he’ll get every opportunity. He’s honest and should give a good account,” Ferraris said of Copartner Era, who he will pilot from gate four.
Ferraris also rides Tsuen Wan Glory, Vukan and Blastoise as he looks to add to the dozen winners he has bagged so far this season.
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