This is an interesting race to open the program, albeit a low-grade affair. BEST EFFORT hasn’t competed since February but has had four trials since the end of April and his most recent with Zac Purton aboard was solid work. He is a course and distance winner and has a record (3:1-1-0) in this class that doesn’t have him stay very long in it. The drop in grade is noteworthy for his trainer Almond Lee who is trying to keep his license by training one more winner this season in order to reach the threshold of 16. The issue with Best Effort is that he is very short in the early markets. JOY PLUS FUN was given a poor ride last time and probably should have won, so considering this is just his fourth run this term he does have ‘fresh’ legs and might be capable of a win even though coming back in trip isn’t ideal. SUNNY ORIENT won a trial recently but is stepping up sharply in trip and is still a Hong Kong maiden. ROCK THE TREE and CLEMENT LEGEND both bring in the same formline (race 752) as Joy Plus Fun and also have claims. Rock The Tree in particular can work into the finish even though the tempo might not suit ideally and he’s a a good each way price.