3 minute read

Selections and analysis for this Wednesday’s race meeting at Happy Valley.

Race 1: #7 Carry To Win, #2 Show Mission, #6 Great Son, #1 Triumphant Lord

Race 2: #4 Super Junior, #8 Power Racer, #6 Little Wise Man, #11 Gauten Of Garo

Race 3: #10 Bundle Of Energy, #2 Acclaimed Light, #8 True Grit, #3 Alpha Hedge

Race 4: #2 California Argent, #5 Dream Come True, #1 Telecom Puma, #7 Special Stars

Race 5: #7 Le Terroir, #5 Wah May Princess, #8 Super Euro Star, #9 Yee Cheong Pegasus

Race 6: #4 Salto Olimpico, #8 Holy Unicorn, #2 Ruletheroost, #3 King’s Man

Race 7: #5 Seven Heavens, #4 Infinity Endeavour, #6 Speedy King, #3 Fantastic Feeling

Race 8: #9 Happy Force, #2 Har Har Heart, #7 Merrygowin, #1 Epic

Race 1: Jianguomen Handicap 

#7 Carry To Win has finished runner up on six occasions from 24 starts. He’s drawn (4) perfectly for Joao Moreira which should see him get every chance. He’s capable of breaking through for his first win. #2 Show Mission beat Carry To Win three starts ago before finishing sixth in his most recent outing. He’ll need to lug 131lb to victory, but in his favour is the booking of Hong Kong’s leading jockey - Zac Purton. #6 Great Son is getting down to a mark where he can breakthrough and he’s a contender. #1 Triumphant Lord gets the blinkers first time. The draw (9) is awkward, but the class drop and allowance (-5lb) enhance his claims.  

Race 2: Jinbao Street Handicap 

#4 Super Junior will lead from the inside gate (2). His most recent run saw him find the front, however his lack of race-fitness was exposed as he wound up finishing midfield. He can pinch this race if he’s left alone in the lead. #8 Power Racer was given no chance at the rear of the field last start however he still managed to finish off strongly. Caspar Fownes-trained gallopers always command respect at Happy Valley. #6 Little Wise Man narrowly missed by a short-head last start. He’ll need a race run to suit, but if he gets it, he’s capable of finishing over the top of them. #11 Gauten Of Garo is racing well enough to sneak into the placings. 

Race 3: Chaoyangmen Handicap 

#10 Bundle Of Energy was beaten by half a length in third last start over this course and distance. He’ll need to overcome the wide draw (10), but he’s the type of horse who can figure in here at odds. #2 Acclaimed Light has struggled in Class 3 this season, but a return to Class 4 saw him finish an improved second at his most recent outing. He’s capable of going one better. #8 True Grit has shown very little in his Conghua trials, however, he did exactly that prior to his last campaign which saw him notch up two minor placings from four appearances. He might take a few runs to get going, but a bold showing first up this season would not surprise. #3 Alpha Hedge remains in Class 4 off a last-start win. He gets up in the ratings, but he should be kept safe. 

Race 4: The Hong Kong Exchanges Challenge Cup (Handicap) 

#2 California Argent closed impressively for third last start at only his second start. Following his debut run he was found to be lame, however since basing himself at Conghua he’s shown that he is capable of winning when fit. He’s the one to beat. #5 Dream Come True will lead again from the inside stall (2) after finishing a narrow second last start. He remains a big watch with Zac Purton booked to ride. #1 Telecom Puma turned his form around when leading last start. Speed on paper in this race suggests he might be forced to take a sit. #7 Special Stars began his career with two wins from four starts, however since then he has struggled. He bears close watching.   

Race 5: The Beijing Clubhouse Anniversary Cup (Handicap) 

#7 Le Terroir clocked the fastest (22.41s) last 400m of his race last start. He’ll use the draw to sit closer to the speed and the booking of Zac Purton should ensure that he proves hard to beat. #5 Wah May Princess will push forward from the draw (1) to lead. He struggled last start after engaging in a battle for the lead, but he should find the rail and get his chance. #8 Super Euro Star rarely runs a bad race. He’ll most likely be forced to sit behind Wah May Princess, but from there run his usual honest race. #9 Yee Cheong Pegasus made significant ground last start to warrant respect in this. 

Race 6: Dongzhimen Handicap 

#4 Salto Olimpico finished a narrow second two runs ago after attempting to make all in the lead. Last start he settled at the rear of the field after drawing wide, however the inside gate (5) for this suggests that he may revert back to his front running tactics. He deserves plenty of respect. #8 Holy Unicorn struggled last start on the dirt after racing four-wide for the better part of the first 400m. Prior to his last-start failure he won four from five and he’s turned into somewhat of a revelation this season since transferring to the Jimmy Ting yard. He’ll bounce back. #2 Ruletheroost flashed home for second last start over 1650m. He’s ready for 1800m. #3 King’s Man’s last win came over this course and distance. He’ll be thereabouts. 

Race 7: Dongcheng District Handicap 

#5 Seven Heavens was blocked for a run last start causing him to cross the line fourth, however following a protest he was promoted to third. He can atone for that performance stepping up to 1200m and the services of Zac Purton should ensure he that scores an overdue win. #4 Infinity Endeavour will return to form in Class 3 and his most recent trial at Conghua was encouraging. #6 Speedy King is race-fit with eight runs and two wins under his belt this season. He has plenty of natural talent and a third win this campaign would not surprise. #3 Fantastic Feeling is a two-time winner with Neil Callan in the saddle this season. He’s not without claims. 

Race 8: Wangfujing Handicap 

Lack of speed in this race could see #9 Happy Force find an uncontested lead. He’s a three-time winner already this season and although he is yet to race beyond 1400m, he’s given every indication the step up to 1650m would suit. He’s capable of pinching this. #2 Har Har Heart has finished runner up on four occasions this season. He was left with too much work to do at the rear of the field last start, but a more forward ride should see him go close. #7 Merrygowin won well two starts ago. He can’t be overlooked. #1 Epic was run off his feet behind Rise High and Time To Celebrate last outing. The drop in class suits.