Racing in Hong Kong is at Happy Valley on Wednesday evening for a nine-race program. Here is our preview of the meeting.
Race 1 – Class 5 – 1000m
Going with the veteran, HAPPY TANGO (1), in the opener. The eight-year-old was competitive at Class 4 level earlier this preparation and dropped to this grade two starts ago. He finished ahead of several contenders in this race when runner-up at the track and trip on June 5. Look for him to settle handy and be hard to hold out late in the piece with the 3kg claimer, Ellis Wong, to ride. MULTIMORE (8) also draws well and should be ready to show something after three runs. He was an improver last time when 5th in the same race as Happy Tango and gets the switch to Zac Purton. EASY TWO (12) is a 20-start Maiden that has been knocking on the door of late with a couple of minor placings and should be strong late. KING INVINCIBLE (2) had a couple of excuses last time and can land in the first four.
Selections: 1-8-12-2
Race 2 – Class 5 – 1800m
This might be the one for the 17-start Maiden, GO GO GO (7). The four-year-old has placed in his past four starts and drops back to the 1800m after filling the exacta behind Arthur’s Kingdom on June 26. He was narrowly beaten as the runner-up horse the last time he tackled the 1800m and Purton sticks on board after partnering him last time. Form of some of the others in this race is moderate. NINJA DERBY (12) maps well and was an improver last time when runner-up over the 1650m at Happy Valley. KEEN UNITY (9) comes out of the same race as Go Go Go last time and was 4th. He should be around the mark again with Karis Teetan to ride. That hoop has 2nd spot sewn up in the Jockey’s Championship. CASA LEGEND (11) broke through for a win last time and is worth including in the first four.
Selections: 7-12-9-11
Race 3 – Class 4 – 1650m
Race 3 is a Class 4 over the 1650m, and this does seem to be a bit of a raffle. BRAVE WITNESS (11) has finished runner-up in two of his past three starts, including one at the track and trip. The 11 start Maiden was held up at his most recent start when 5th on the All-Weather Track at Sha Tin. He draws the inside and is another early chance for Karis Teetan. WINNING STEPS (7) looks to be a solid chance for his trainer, Pierre Ng, who holds a one-win lead from Francis Lui in the Trainers Championship with just one meeting to come after this. Winning Steps ran on to fill the exacta over the 1800m behind Jubilation last time and comes into it with an even tempo or better. SUPER BABY (8) will head forward and went a bit too hard last time on the speed when fading into 9th position. With a softer run he can feature. ATOMIC BEAUTY (6) is a first four contender.
Selections: 11-7-8-6
Race 4 – Class 4 – 1200m
HAROLD WIN (4) can chalk up the first win of his career when he steps out in Race 4. The Francis Lui-trained galloper has had the three career starts and was held up from the 300m to the 100m last time when 3rd behind Parterre. With clear air this time around, he can go a couple of spots better. LUCKY PLANET (12) will either lead or box seat from the inside barrier and hasn’t been far away at his past few starts. He was runner-up the last time he tackled the 1200m at Happy Valley. AMAZING ACE (3) was a promising 3rd when resuming back in May then produced a forget run when pulling up with issues last time. Monitor betting for the former Victorian. YODA’S CHOICE (10) is in the mix for the Pierre Ng/Karis Teetan combination.
Selections: 4-12-3-10
Race 5 – Class 4 – 1200m
This is another Class 4 over the 1200m. GIANT LEAP (9) has been edging closer in recent times and worked forward from the wide barrier before sticking on well to fill the exacta behind Parterre on July 1. He draws much better this time around and can go one better. CAMINO (5) has come back in good order this preparation and was a first up winner over the 1000m then was posted wide when 3rd behind Travel Golf last week. He is on the short back-up and will tuck in behind the speed. PRIME MORTAR (2) was a track and trip winner three starts ago. He was no match for the impressive Packing Hermod at his most recent start when runner-up, but that form should be good for this. JOLLY COMPANION (10) should be around the mark.
Selections: 9-5-2-10
Race 6 – Class 2 – 1650m
This is the pick of the nine races with the Class 2 gallopers in action. TOMODACHI KOKOROE (2) is an unknown out to the 1650m but seemed to relish the step up to the 1400m at Sha Tin on July 1 when a narrow runner-up behind Chiu Chow Spirit. Those two gapped the rest. The five-year-old might lead from barrier 4 and gets the steer from Purton. Interesting to see what YELLOWFIN (6) does from barrier 8. He led all the way at the track and trip three starts ago and has settled just off them at his past couple in slowly run races before working home to finish runner-up behind OUTGATE (3). CHILL CHIBI (5) was 5th in the same race but was forced back from the draw and will settle closer this time around from barrier 3. He is one to include in the first leg of the quaddie.
Selections: 2-6-3-1
Race 7 – Class 4 – 1200m
This is the last of the three 1200m races for the Class 4 gallopers. NEBRASKAN (2) is a former NSW galloper that was sent over after two wins at Scone and has taken a while to get going. He dropped to this grade two starts ago and had a few things go against at his most recent start when 5th behind Super Bonus. With better luck this time around, the John Size-trained galloper can break through for his first win since coming over. PRINCE OF PORTY (3) hasn’t quite fired since winning his first two races but has been close at his past two since dropping back to this grade and will be suited by the pace in this race, while he saves ground from the inside gate. LEAN MASTER (4) might sit outside the leader and has finished top two at his past three starts, winning one. They have been at the track and trip and the Dennis Yip-trained galloper just needs to relax a bit better after racing a tad keenly last time. HAPPY HORSE (9) is a likely leader that can stick on for a top four finish.
Selections: 2-3-4-9
Race 8 – Class 3 – 1000m
YOUTHFUL SPIRITS (3) can make it back-to-back wins after scoring over the 1000m here on June 6. The Mark Newnham-trained galloper settled handy that evening before taking over as they cornered, winning by two lengths from Happy United, who is one of a couple of key scratchings from this race. Monitor betting for the former Kiwi, DO YOUR PART (10). He makes his local debut and was a strong trial winner recently. KA YING CHEER (8) has placed at his past four and is an on-pacer that might be suited by the drop down to the 1000m. RED ELEGANCE (7) was a dominant Class 4 winner last time that can measure up.
Selections: 3-6-10-8
Race 9 – Class 3 – 1800m
Tricky one to finish off. ROMANTIC LAOS (7) scored over the 1650m here three starts ago and has been posted wide at his past couple. He was forced to go for home a long way out at his most recent start before filling the exacta behind Chain Of Gold and is a serious chance if he is able to find a spot this time around. Hugh Bowman rides. AWESOME FLUKE (1) has the form on the board with two recent wins and just needs to handle the 61kg. Those wins have been over the 2000m at Sha Tin and he was a tad luckless three starts ago when 3rd over the 1800m at Happy Valley. SAMARKAND (8) has won multiple times this season and will settle handy from the draw. He comes off a last start 3rd over the 1800m at Sha Tin. G LINER (12) is a sneaky contender with just the 52.5kg on his back.
Selections: 7-1-8-12