Data Point (Image: Racing Photos)
Beau Mertens boasts one of the most impressive books of any jockey at Saturday's The Valley meeting, but the young hoop is preparing to lose what he considers one of his better rides.
Data Point, the equal favourite for the $100,000 Travis Harrison Cup, is slated to start from gate 11 in the 14-horse field.
Trainer Mick Kent has also accepted at Sale on Sunday and Mertens told Racing.com at trackwork on Friday morning he was not aware of where the four-year-old would be lining up.
"I'm not sure if he's going to be running (Saturday), because he's drawn wide and he's accepted with him at Sale," Mertens said.
"Fingers crossed he does run because I think he's a good chance."
Data Point is one of six rides at $6.50 or shorter Mertens is down to ride at The Valley.
The Henry Dwyer-trained If Not Now When, the $3.60 favourite for the Bidfood Handicap (Race 2), is the one he considers his best winning hope for the day.
The daughter of Artie Schiller is five weeks between runs, having finished fourth at Morphettville at her most recent appearance, but it was the second placing at Caulfield the start before that has Mertens bullish.
"She tried to run down Snitty Kitty (that day) and I thought it was a massive effort from last. Snitty Kitty has gone on to win a Listed race in Brisbane over the carnival," he said.
"It seems like her form's holding up and with the gate (five) and the race, I think we're pretty confident she should be finishing off."
The other favourite Mertens rides is Data Point's stablemate Leodoro, who will be looking to go two spots better than his third placing at the same track two weeks ago when he contests the Embassy Print Solutions Handicap (1200m) that rounds out the card.
Mertens rode Whistle Baby to victory at that most recent Valley meeting and while the Ellerton Zahra Racing mare rises from female grade to an open handicap this weekend, he is confident she can win again provided he gets a clear run from the inside gate.
"Obviously it's a bit of a sticky barrier, especially at Moonee Valley, but with the 53 kilos she gets right down to the minimum and if we get the luck she should be finishing off," he said.
Mertens' other rides at The Valley are Speak Softly (Race 1, $4.60), Petite's Reward (Race 3, $13), Stylish Miss (Race 4, $21), Palladian (Race 6, $9) and Coldstone (Race 7, $6.50).