3 minute read

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

Race 1: #4 Helene Charisma, #1 Green Luck, #5 Enrichment, #3 Mr So And So

Race 2: #9 Richcity Fortune, #5 Adonis, #1 Compassion Star, #2 Great Son

Race 3: #6 Takingufurther, #2 Hero Time, #7 Simply Fluke, #3 Happy Time

Race 4: #3 Family Leader, #1 Such A Happiness, #5 King's Man, #10 Polymer Luck

Race 5: #7 Smart Of Youth, #4 Golden Glory, #2 Gift Of Lifeline, #3 Confucius Day

Race 6: #11 Aquila, #4 Explosive Witness, #7 Special Stars, #8 Super Junior

Race 7: #2 Telecom Puma, #4 Fearless Fire, #3 My Ally, #10 Fantastic Fabio

Race 8: #5 Last Kingdom, #3 Win Win, #7 Xiang Bai Qi, #9 Jenerator

Race 9: #6 Reliable Team, #4 Endearing, #8 Best Alliance, #12 Le Terroir
 

Race 1: Heung Yip Handicap

#4 Helene Charisma surprised first-up when closing for second behind Green Luck over 1650m. He'll have taken plenty of fitness with that run under his belt and the step up in distance to 1800m looks an ideal progression. #1 Green Luck was impressive first up and although he'll need to carry an extra 10lb from that win, he remains a leading chance. #5 Enrichment comes out of the same race as Helene Charisma and Green Luck. He closed strongly for fourth and he deserves respect with that run under his belt. #3 Mr So And So can return to form with even luck, even though he is a better Sha Tin horse.  

Race 2: Island Handicap

#9 Richcity Fortune is the likely leader from the inside gate with Alfred Chan aboard. Suspect he rolls forward to maximise Chan's 10lb claim and if he can control the speed to suit himself, he's the one to beat. #5 Adonis scored convincingly on season opening day as Douglas Whyte's first winner. He's improved sharply since switching yards and he appears to have a few more ratings points in hand. #1 Compassion Star largely disappointed last season. He should relish the drop back to Class 5 and with even luck, find himself in the finish. #2 Great Son is another who is expected to roll forward. He'll need to overcome the draw but he's not without a hope.

Race 3: Wong Chuk Hang Handicap

#6 Takingufurther rates highly for this. He knuckled down to score by a narrow margin last start and with improvement from that, he's capable of going back-to-back. #2 Hero Time made up a stack of ground to finish fourth when racing first up last season. He can run similar here, especially off an encouraging trial. #7 Simply Fluke is on the up. He showed very little last season but he's returned nicely in a recent trial and he might be worth taking a chance on if he opens up at a price. #3 Happy Time gets Zac Purton. He's winless across 13 starts but he did string a number of good performances over this course and distance last season. He's one for the multiples.

Race 4: Nam Fung Handicap

#3 Family Leader did everything right except win last start. Suspect he rolls forward again here in attempt to make all. Expect he produces a near identical run from the same gate as last time. #1 Such A Happiness placed behind the dominant California Legend last start. He'll relish the extra furlong on offer and the booking of Joao Moreira again suggests intent. #5 King's Man mixes his form. He was close on a number of occasions last season and if he's held his condition since then, it's only a matter of time before wins again. #10 Polymer Luck caught the eye first-up finishing a competitive sixth. He'll be better for the run and with only 117lb on his back, he's not without claims.

Race 5: Hong Kong Country Club Challenge Cup (Handicap)

#7 Smart Of Youth makes his debut. He's trialled impressively leading into this and he appears forward enough to win at his first attempt. Expect he'll be on the speed early, if not in the lead, under Zac Purton. #4 Golden Glory has mixed his form but he has been competitive at this level previously. The inside gate should afford him every opportunity up on the speed early. #2 Gift Of Lifeline resumes. He proved himself as a Happy Valley specialist on the rise and if his trial form holds up, he'll be in the finish. #3 Confucius Day surprised when nearly breaking through first-up earlier this month. He deserves another chance albeit with the wide draw to overcome.

Race 6: Sun Wan Handicap

#11 Aquila scored impressively in a recent trial. He appears ready to fire first-up and from the gate, he should be doing minimal work in the run. #4 Explosive Witness trialled very quietly at Conghua. He did catch the eye at his second and final appearance of last season and if he's continued to improve from that he'll be finishing off strongly. #7 Special Stars began his Hong Kong career with two wins from four before struggling to register a minor placing. Suspect the break will have done him a world of good and if he can capture his best, he should be around the mark. #8 Super Junior is as consistent as they come. He can't be overlooked, even though this is a more difficult task.

Race 7: Community Chest Cup (Handicap)

#2 Telecom Puma showed glimpses of talent before bucking in his final start of last season, forcing him to be pulled out of the race. He's since trialled with gusto, crossing from wide to lead all of the way impressively. Suspect he tries the same again here and from the draw he should land on the rail with ease. #4 Fearless Fire is a two-time course and distance winner. He was untested in a recent trial but is previous form indicates he is up to this level. #3 My Ally joins his third stable in Hong Kong. The wide gate may force him to take a sit and if he can get a nice run throughout, he's not without a hope. #10 Fantastic Fabio is consistent. He bears close watching. 

Race 8: Tai Shue Wan Handicap

#5 Last Kingdom pieced it all together last start for his new trainer Douglas Whyte and remaining in Class 3 should see him go close once again. He should find the front from the inside barrier under Sanna and it's possible that he notches up his second win in as many starts. #3 Win Win is a course and distance winner previously with Zac Purton in the saddle. He finds himself in a similar race to that here and the son of Casino Prince has a number of ratings points in hand. #7 Xiang Bai Qi has frustrated across his 17-start career in Hong Kong. He was close at his final run of last season and he might be down to a mark now that sees him break through. He's the value of the race. #9 Jenerator turned his form around late last season. It's only a matter of time before he breaks through in Hong Kong.

Race 9: Yip Fat Handicap

#6 Reliable Team is unbeaten and in search of his third win. He's an impressive talent whose first two wins have held huge promise. Expect he'll take a power of beating again, and the class rise isn't what's going to stop him, if anything is. #4 Endearing races well fresh. He was badly blocked for a run first-up and if he's continued to hold that form, he should be right in the finish. Outside of the likely favourite, he's the main danger. #8 Best Alliance has taken his time to settle into Hong Kong but he's shown gradual progression with each outing. Suspect it's only a matter of time before he breaks through. #12 Le Terroir steps up to Class 3 and has been tasked with only 116lb on his back. The good gate should afford him every chance and the strong booking of Joao Moreira enhances his claims.