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Selections and Analysis for Wednesday’s race meeting at Happy Valley.
Race 1: #8 Bundle Of Energy, #11 Savvy Seven, #12 Lucky Shiny Day, #9 Chaparral Star
Race 2: #2 Salto Olimpico, #7 Royal Racer, #4 Mister Monte, #1 Faithful Trinity
Race 3: #7 My Family, #5 Gift Of Lifeline, #4 Exceptional Desire, #8 This Is Class
Race 4: #1 Frustrated, #7 Iron King, #4 Travel Datuk, #8 Lightning Steed
Race 5: #4 Helene Charisma, #2 Happy Dragon, #10 Cheerful Star, #3 Classic Beauty
Race 6: #2 Handsome Rebel, #4 Joyful Union, #11 Strathclyde, #12 Noble Delight
Race 7: #2 Saul’s Special, #6 Little Bird, #3 Music Addition, #10 Starlight
Race 8: #11 Last Kingdom, #4 Arcada, #3 Good Beauty, #8 Magnetism
Race 1: D’Aguilar Peak Handicap
#8 Bundle Of Energy is winless from nine starts in Hong Kong. He settled last in his most recent from the wide draw (12), which clearly cost him any chance at winning. Prior to that he struggled over 1800m and 2200m, but his run before at Happy Valley (1650m) was excellent when finishing fourth. Vincent Ho should use the draw (2) to sit him close to the speed, and from there, get his chance to breakthrough. #11 Savvy Seven is another who is winless in Hong Kong.
He’s placed in two of his last three starts, the second of which at Sha Tin (1600m) saw him finish half a length behind the winner. He remains in Class 4 which suits and with only 115lb on his back, he gets an excellent chance to win. #12 Lucky Shiny Day has finished runner up at his last two starts. The lack of speed in the race is a query, but if he gets then he’ll be finishing fast. #9 Chaparral Star has crafted an impressive record (11: 1-2-2) already this season. He’ll be around the mark as a two-time runner up at Happy Valley (1650m) previously in his career.
Race 2: D’Aguilar Peak Handicap
#2 Salto Olimpico was nailed on the line last start at Happy Valley (1800m) by a fast-finishing Happy Rocky, who followed up that win with another. He’ll need to overcome the wide draw (12), but if Derek Leung can find the front, then he should be able to make his own luck. #7 Royal Racer struggled to make ground from the tale-end of the field last start to finish 6th at Sha Tin.
He’s yet to record a win, but is ready to tackle the 1650m for the first time and from gate 7 he should be able to make an impression at his Happy Valley debut. #4 Mister Monte recorded his sole win at Happy Valley over 1650m. He’s yet to land a top three finish this season, but in his favour is the draw (2), which should see him sit handy in the run. #1 Faithful Trinity receives a welcome drop in class. He’s a Class 3 winner already this season and if he gets a race run to suit, he should be able to finish off strongly.
Race 3: Mount Butler Handicap
#7 My Family made significant ground when asked last start at only his second race day outing. He’s progressively improved with each start and with those two runs under his belt already, more improvement is set to come. He should use the draw to sit closer in the run, which should give him every chance to outperform his price tag, as he is likely to be sent around as a double figure chance. #5 Gift Of Lifeline got off the mark last start to win his first race at only his fourth start.
The Teetan/Millard combination teamed up last Wednesday to win and this horse appears capable of following suit. #4 Exceptional Desire won well two starts ago to record his first success this season. He was caught wide last start which saw him weaken over the concluding stages to finish a distant 7th behind Wah May Princess and The Show, the latter of whom has since come out and won again. #8 The Is Class led last start which saw him fade to finish fifth. He can finish around the mark if he pushes forward once again.
Race 4: The Indian Recreation Club Challenge Cup (Handicap)
#1 Frustrated got off the mark last start at Happy Valley (1000m), scoring in a dominant fashion for trainer Frankie Lor. He got the gun run that day on the rail where he was able to peel out in the straight and put them to the sword by over a length. He maps to get a similar run here and with Victor Wong’s claim (-7lb),should take plenty of beating. #7 Iron King has finished unplaced in two runs up the straight (1000m) at Sha Tin. He’s by the late Australian Guineas winner, Ferlax, who also sired E Star – a winner at his second start in Hong Kong.
He’s an improving type who should make his presence known, especially with Zac Purton in the saddle. #4 Travel Datuk was one of only a few who made ground behind Frustrated last start. He set himself a task from near last, but he closed off well enough to suggest that he could do the same again. #8 Lightning Steed’s sole win came at Happy Valley over this distance (1000m). He was a transfer from the Michael Freedman stable who since then, has been consistent in all three runs for his new trainer Caspar Fownes.
Race 5: Mount Collinson Handicap
#4 Helene Charisma earned himself a well-deserved win at start number 28 in his latest. He careered away by over two lengths that day to win under Zac Purton with plenty up his sleeve. He gave every indication that the step up to 2200m would suit and if he handles it, prove very hard to beat. Stablemate #2 Happy Dragon rates as the main danger.
He’s a winner of two of his last three including his latest where he defeated Brave Legend, who since then has won himself. #10 Cheerful Star closed off strongly to finish 7th in his latest at Sha Tin (2000m). He’s another who will take benefit from the extra furlong on offer and if he gets a race run to suit, find himself in the finish. #3 Classic Beauty has finished runner up in his last two outings. He’s the third stringer of the Moore trio, but he isn’t without a place hope.
Race 6: Nam Long Shan Handicap
#2 Handsome Rebel has steadily improved across each of his five starts since arriving in Hong Kong from New Zealand. Trained by Me Tsui, the son of Denman put in an eye-catching fourth at his most recent appearance, where he made up a stack of ground to finish only a length behind the talented, Blitzing. #4 Joyful Union’s talent was on display in his latest as he rocketed home to finish only a length and a half off the winner.
He’ll need a fast tempo, but he’s capable of improving again. #11 Strathclyde’s last two runs have seen him finish unplaced on the dirt, however his run prior at Happy Valley (1200m) on the grass saw him return a narrow third. He’ll have taken improvement from that run. #12 Noble Delight should find himself in the right spot from the draw (4). He’s a two-time winner from 12 who has placed in two of his last three. He’ll be around the mark for the Moreira/Size combination.
Race 7: Pottinger Peak Handicap
#2 Saul’s Special is a winner already this season. The Michael Chang-trained galloper scored a first up win at Happy Valley over this distance (1000m) and his last-start second indicated a return to form. Karis Teetan will put him into the race and from there, get every chance to win. #6 Little Bird is the likely leader of the race. He was a dominant Class 3 winner last start and he now faces Class 2 company for the first time. He faces stiff competition, but he is expected to lead which should give him every chance. #3 Music Addition was found to be lame last start.
Prior to his last-start failure, he notched up back-to-back wins at Happy Valley (1200m). He’s been passed fit to run which should see him return to form, but at only his second start in Class 2 grade, he is up against it. #10 Starlight is a winner of seven from 35. He’s a two time winner already this season who shouldn’t be overlooked.
Race 8: Siu Ma Shan Handicap
Competitive Class 3 to close off Wednesday’s Happy Valley meeting. #11 Last Kingdom is winless from 13 starts in Hong Kong. A G3 winner in France when trained by Andre Fabre, he has only recorded one placing this season in Hong Kong from seven runs. He was caught wide in his latest which cost him, but with a soft run from the draw (8), he should be able to find himself in the right spot. Karis Teetan drove #4 Arcada out to win last start at Happy Valley (1650m) to win his first race in Hong Kong. He’s drawn (3) favourably once again which should see him settle in the front four without exhausting too much energy. #3 Good Beauty is a winner already this season at Happy Valley.
He finished fourth last start behind Lucky Girl who received the rails run to win. This is his second attempt at 1650m which will suit him and the retention of Zac Purton on his back indicates that there is plenty more in the tank. #8 Magnetism comes out of the same race as Good Beauty. He was aided by the fast tempo last start which allowed him to close off the race strongly. He’ll need a fast pace, but if he gets it, he should be around the mark.
