3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Wednesday’s race meeting at Happy Valley

Race 1: #9 Carry To Win, #8 Whistle Up, #4 Showing Character, #7 Show Mission

Race 2: #2 Oriental Elite, #5 Little Thunder, #4 Gunnar, #8 Precious Sweetie

Race 3: #9 Family Leader, #10 Bundle Of Energy, #1 You Have My Word, #5 Mcqueen

Race 4: #2 Reliable Team, #3 Bulb Elite, #7 Lightning Steed, #1 California Gungho

Race 5: #8 Garlic Yeah, #9 Smart Rocket, #10 Shanghai Dragon, #4 C P Power

Race 6: #11 Looking Good, #1 Chefano, #9 All You Know, #5 My Ally

Race 7: #5 Sparkling Dragon, #8 Star Luck, #4 Magic Legend, #11 Jumbo Prize

Race 8: #7 Mr So And So, #10 Fat Turtle, #8 Not Usual Talent, #12 Perfect Match

Race 1: Yung Shoe O Handicap

#9 Carry To Win has become a costly conveyance for backers having finished runner-up in seven of his 25 starts without a win. He's running out of chances but his consistency warrants respect, especially in this class and he's shown that it could only be a matter of time. #8 Whistle Up did a stack of work early from the wide gate to sit on the speed last start, which saw him fade to third. He's again drawn wide but with another positive ride on the speed he can finish in the money. #4 Showing Character got off the mark this season over 1650m three starts ago. Dropping back to 1000m probably isn't ideal but he's drawn to push forward and his two runs over the distance this season have been competitive. #7 Show Mission is always worth including in these races.

Race 2: Sham Chung Handicap

#2 Oriental Elite displayed a powerful turn of foot early in the season and last start he appeared to recapture it when closing for an impressive third. He's regularly slow out of the machine but he's shown that if the run presents itself, he's capable of running them down. #5 Little Thunder steps out on debut. He put in an impressive trial effort on the turf at Sha Tin and he remains a big watch. #4 Gunnar kept on well for second down the straight at Sha Tin, placing behind the impressive Classic Unicorn. He's ready to step up to 1200m and this race is not out of his reach. #8 Precious Sweetie got off the mark three starts ago over this course and distance. He's got talent but it remains to be seen how high he can climb.

Race 3: Wong Chuk Wan Handicap

#9 Family Leader has taken a while to acclimatise to life in Hong Kong but his last two runs have been particularly good. He's found his mark and he should be fit coming off a nice placing over 2200m last start. #10 Bundle Of Energy has been consistent without winning across his short 15-start career. He gets Joao Moreira aboard which signals intent and from the gate he should be in the mix early. #1 You Have My Word has been racing well with his only win this season coming with Zac Purton in the saddle. Suspect he's ready to get the job done again and win his way into Class 3. #5 Mcqueen turned his form around to finish second last start. He's not without a chance land his first win since early 2016.

Race 4: Sham Chung Handicap

#2 Reliable Team made all to score impressively on debut last start. He was slow out of the gates but when he asked he responded nicely and found the front. He's capable of repeating that effort here against a relatively weak field. #3 Bulb Elite led and faded to fourth last start. Suspect he tries the same again here and whilst he lacks the determination to win, he's capable of finishing around the mark. #7 Lightning Steed is an uninspiring one from 14. He's a factor with Neil Callan on his back. #1 California Gungho should relish the drop to Class 3. He's capable of a win but whether it comes here remains to be seen.

Race 5: Tai Mong Tsai Handicap

#8 Garlic Yeah mixes his form but this isn't an overly strong race. He was blocked for a run in the straight two starts ago which clearly cost him the race. He's returned to a suitable distance and he's worth taking a chance on with even luck. #9 Smart Rocket is racing in career-best form having missed the placings only once from his last six outings. Strong booking of Zac Purton signals intent and he's a player in this spot. #10 Shanghai Dragon is the likely leader of the race. He's drawn to find the rail early and if he races unpressured, he's capable of another top three finish. #4 C P Power is consistent. He landed the fourth win of his career earlier this season and it won't take much more than that for him to figure here.

Race 6: Pak Sha O Handicap

#11 Looking Good is racing in career-best form. He was narrowly run down last start after doing a stack of work early to find a forward position on the speed. He's landed four top three finishes from his last five outings and a win is nearing, especially from the inside gate. #1 Chefano is a recent acquisition to the John Moore stable from the Tony Millard yard. He was caught flat-footed in a messy race last start and he's much better ridden midfield with cover. He placed at his second start in a strong Class 2 behind Ka Ying Star, Rivet and Ruthven and if he runs up to that level here, he's a major player. #9 All You Know has gone close on a number of occasions this season. He should have more than one win next to his name this season and he gets an excellent chance to build on that tally here. #5 My Ally should be thereabouts.

Race 7: Lai Chi Chong Handicap

#5 Sparkling Dragon has impressed in each of his four starts since the transition to Tony Millard stables from the recently departed Michael Freedman. This race should be run at a fast pace and if he can find the right spot just behind the leaders, he should be able to have the last crack at them. #8 Star Luck is one of those who is likely to push forward and lead. He'll find the rail which suits but he won't be alone and with the pressure on up front there are concerns. #4 Magic Legend has refused to win. He's drawn a touch awkward but if they go hard up front then he's another who will be finishing fast. #11 Jumbo Prize has hit the ground running, finishing outside of the top three only once across his short four-start career. He's going places and this is well within his ability. 

Race 8: Hoi Ha Handicap

#7 Mr So And So was set a task from the rear last start but to his credit he managed to close strongly for third. He's spaced his runs since coming out of a Hong Kong Derby campaign and he's shown steady improvement with each outing. He's capable of winning. #10 Fat Turtle makes the interesting leap from 1200m to 1650m. He's untried over this distance but suspect if he finds a soft lead under Zac Purton that he is going to be there for a long way. #8 Not Usual Talent has made a name for himself finishing fast from the tail-end of the field. Suspect he'll try the same again here and if he gets a race run to suit there should be no excuses. #12 Perfect Match is four from seven across his short career. He makes his Happy Valley debut and if he handles the tight turning course then he's expected to be thereabouts in a competitive race.