3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Wednesday’s race meeting at Happy Valley (15/01/20).

Race 1: #11 Nashashuk, #8 Roman Odyssey, #4 Nice Fandango, #2 Promise Kept
Race 2: #7 Exceptional Desire, #11 The Show, #9 After Me, #12 Flying Godspell
Race 3: #9 Winning Ways, #12 Happy Good Guys, #4 Gunnar, #1 Mega Red 
Race 4: #4 Charity Wings, #2 Heavenly Thought, #9 Management Star, #1 Harrier Jet
Race 5: #6 Picken, #2 Namjong Plus, #3 Planet Star, #9 Top Score
Race 6: #8 Travel Datuk, #9 Grand Harbour, #5 Mehboob, #2 Casa De Forca
Race 7: #2 Magnificent, #10 Triumphant Horse, #3 Warm The Voice, #7 Solar Wai Wai
Race 8: #3 Harmony And Rich, #1 Heart Conquered, #6 Flying Genius, #7 Allied Agility
Race 9: #3 Snap Fit, #2 Highly Proactive, #1 Shining Ace, #9 Starlight

Race 1: Murray Handicap

#11 Nashashuk is looking to end nearly a three year drought without a win, last time saluting in 2017. Still, he's gone close on a number of occasions this term and his last-start third showed the necessary improvement required to win. #8 Roman Odyssey turned his form around last start to grab second. He's down to his mark and although he's winless across 27 starts, he has shown that he is capable with the right run. #4 Nice Fandango should roll forward for Blake Shinn. He'll give them something to run down. #2 Promise Kept steps back into Class 5. If he can find his best he'll give this race a shake.

Race 2: Club Street Handicap

#7 Exceptional Desire gets the services of the in-form Tony Piccone, who landed a double on Saturday. He'll roll forward here and if he's held his condition from last start, he's going to take running down. #11 The Show has drawn well. He narrowly missed last start and with a race run to suit, he can find himself in the finish. #9 After Me is a winner of two of his last three starts. He's drawn well for Matthew Chadwick and if he handles the class rise, he's going to be competitive. #12 Flying Godspell gets in light. He can figure with the right run.

Race 3: Lambeth Handicap

#9 Winning Ways hasn't exactly lived up to his namesake going 0/20 but he's still be racing well this season, tallying two top three finishes, including a second at his latest behind Flying Genius. He has the awkward draw to contend with but this race appears suitable. #12 Happy Good Guys has placed in his last three outings and off those, appears to have found his mark. He can go on with it here under Silvestre de Sousa. #4 Gunnar's consistency was rewarded two starts ago with a win. He remains in Class 4 still which suits and this race looks ideal for him to run well in. #1 Mega Red steps back to Class 4. He'll relish the drop in grade. 

Race 4: Ice House Handicap

#4 Charity Wings narrowly missed last start. He's been ultra-consistent all season and he can be rewarded here with a win. #2 Heavenly Thought has shown glimpses of ability across his career. He narrowly missed last start in a thrilling finish and if he can bring that form here, he's going go to close. #9 Management Star was nothing short of impressive rocketing from the tail of the field to score last start over this course and distance. #1 Harrier Jet steps down to Class 4. He'll improve sharply down in grade.

Race 5: Edinburgh Handicap (2nd Section)

#6 Picken has had next to luck this season but he's been racing well in a number of strong races. He gets the services of Joao Moreira again here and against what is not an overly strong field, he should be able to finally get the job done. #2 Namjong Plus raced well first-up last start. He won at his second start of last season and a repeat of that here, would not surprise. #3 Planet Star has drawn well for Derek Leung. He's capable over this course and distance. #9 Top Score won well two starts ago. He struggled last start but he can bounce back here.

Race 6: The Hong Kong Club Challenge Cup (Handicap)

#8 Travel Datuk is racing well this season and he should benefit from the step back up to 1200m here. His previous two runs over 1000m have been sound but a return to his preferred trip may see him prove tough to catch. #9 Grand Harbour can roll forward from the draw. He could get the right run up on the pace and find himself in the finish. #5 Mehboob has been super consistent across his last four outings, placing in three and winning in one. He's drawn to get the gun run and he appears to have a few ratings points in hand. #2 Casa De Forca has had seven consistent runs this season. He'll need to overcome the wide gate but his consistency can reward him here.

Race 7: Edinburgh Handicap (1st Section)

#2 Magnificent got the job done impressively last start. He remains in Class 3 off that performance and the inside gate should allow him to find a soft lead. #10 Triumphant Horse turned in a competitive fifth last start in his debut at the Valley. He can figure with the right run here in his second start at the city track. #3 Warm The Voice has put in two excellent efforts on the dirt, through this time he switches to the turf, in his favour is that he is a course and distance winner. #7 Solar Wai Wai raced up on the pace last time out before fading to fifth. He can bounce back with a quieter run in transit.

Race 8: Connaught Handicap

#3 Harmony And Rich ran a blinder on debut, snatching third behind Gentle Breeze. There are no track concerns and under the in-form Tony Piccone, he's going to take beating. #1 Heart Conquered also finished third on debut, this time down the straight behind Voyage Warrior. He's previously trialled well at the city track and that form is some of the strongest in Hong Kong. #6 Flying Genius is looking for his third consecutive win. He's doing everything right and if he handles the step up to Class 3, he's going to be in the finish, especially from the inside draw which should allow him to roll forward with minimum effort. #7 Allied Agility is next best. 

Race 9: Chater Handicap

#3 Snap Fit is looking to bounce back from defeat after winning his first three starts. Though he was defeated, he was far from disgraced when grabbing second behind the tear away Winning Method and if he can overcome the wide gate here, he's going to get his chance to bounce back here. #2 Highly Proactive got the job done in style last start. He's shown plenty of early talent and he appears to have a number of more ratings points in hand. #1 Shining Ace rarely runs a bad race, having finished inside the top three at each of his appearances this term, including two wins. #9 Starlight isn't without a hope thanks to Alfred Chan's 10lb claim.