It would be Silly to write off Buddies

It's take two for John Size-trained Silly Buddies in the Heung Yee Kuk Cup (1,200m) at Sha Tin and the lightly-raced four-year-old looks ready to make amends for his latest defeat at odds-on in a cup race.

Odds-on favourites have had a dreadful record this season - winning at a rate of only around one in three - and Silly Buddies (Tye Angland) was part of that statistic at his most recent run when he went out $14 favourite for the Pok Oi Cup on January 11 over the same course and distance as Saturday's event.

From barrier eight, he never really got the right run in transit as horses poked up underneath him but he applied himself well to still only go down by half a length to Meridian Treasure.

It couldn't be called a blot on his record, because it was a brave effort in difficult circumstances, but that didn't help favourite punters much and they'll have to front up at cramped odds again.

Prior, Silly Buddies had won his first two starts then might have beaten Aerovelocity in different circumstances when he was beaten a short head by that horse on international day, and Aerovelocity is really one of the form horses racing at present.

On Saturday, Silly Buddies has two fewer horses inside him at the start, including at least one who won't be able to match him early, and that should ensure that Angland is able to find a sweeter position in running, either on the pace or just behind it if the leaders roll along early.

Either way, he will be the horse to beat but, like his last start, the race is not a walkover.

His most interesting opposition runner could be My Legend (Zac Purton), who raced quite erratically in New Zealand. In two starts under the name Porotene Power, he was narrowly beaten on debut then walked in at his second performance, indicating that he had more than his share of ability.

Silly Buddies has the obvious advantage over him of local experience and race fitness, and that may decide things in his favour, but there was plenty to like about My Legend's barrier trial a month ago and he looks to have had a nice preparation in the weeks since.

Purton has done a lot of work with the gelding on the track and takes the ride at what would probably be his minimum weight at present.

Dining Star (Joao Moreira) is another interesting runner, having his first start for Tony Millard after some poor early season form saw him switch yards.

Dynamic Voyage (Karis Teetan) is another contender who has had a switch of yards, from Millard to Danny Shum Chap-shing, but a wide gate does nothing positive for his prospects.