3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Wednesday's race meeting at Happy Valley (05/02/20).

Race 1: #9 Show Mission, #4 Demon's Rock, #2 Golden General, #5 La Bomba
Race 2: #5 Dr Proactive, #8 Winning Ways, #12 Oversubscribed, #6 Happy Good Guys
Race 3: #9 City Legend, #10 Enjoy Life, #3 Let's Take It Easy, #5 Villa Fionn
Race 4: #5 Winner's Heart, #9 California Rad, #3 Mehboob, #1 Loriz
Race 5: #3 Oriental Elite, #1 Thunder Stomp, #4 Dor Dor, #5 Casa De Forca
Race 6: #9 G Unit, #4 Baby, #3 Jumbo Happiness, #11 Relentless Me
Race 7: #11 Naboo Star, #2 Magnificent, #4 Horsesain Bolt, #3 Bear Again
Race 8: #1 Super Turbo, #4 Meridian Genius, #6 Flying Genius, #8 This Is Class

Race 1: Bowrington Handicap

#9 Show Mission overcame the wide draw to finish second last start, beaten by only a neck over this course and distance. He's drawn much better this time and with Grant van Niekerk remaining aboard, he could prove tough to beat. #4 Demon's Rock is winless across 22 starts. Still, he has gone close on a number of occasions and the now booking of Zac Purton for the first time warrants respect and this could very well be his day. #2 Golden General was far from disgraced when first-up last start, finishing a competitive ninth. He can figure here with that run under his belt, especially from the good draw. #5 La Bomba has mixed his form but in his favour is the services of Joao Moreira who is fresh off a Sunday four-timer.

Race 2: Canal Handicap

#5 Dr Proactive ran a blinder last start, narrowly missing by a short-head thanks to brilliant ride from Jack Wong. He takes the reins again here and if he can overcome the wide gate, he's an excellent chance to go one better. #8 Winning Ways is still searching for his first Hong Kong win after striking out across 21 starts, including his last two efforts where he has finished runner-up in each. Zac Purton takes the reins and this contest is well within his reach. #12 Oversubscribed has shown steady improvement. He'll relish the step back up to 1200m following his fast-finishing third over 1000m last time out. #6 Happy Good Guys is looking for back-to-back wins. He remains in Class 4 which suits and this contest is not out of his reach.

Race 3: The Craigengower Cricket Club Challenge Cup (Handicap)

#9 City Legend gets the services of Zac Purton in his to secure an overdue win after tallying eight runner-up efforts from 23 attempts. He's drawn a touch awkward but if Hong Kong's champion jockey can cross from out wide on him he's going to get every possible chance against what is, not an overly strong bunch of gallopers. #10 Enjoy Life has claims and his best is more than up to this. He's a one-time course and distance winner who although is also drawn wide, should still find himself in the finish under Joao Moreira. #3 Let's Take It Easy can be his own worst enemy at times and regularly finds himself trapped far too back in the field with plenty of work to do. Still, he's racing well and he remains a place chance if he gets the right run. #5 Villa Fionn mixes his form but steps out for leading trainer Ricky Yiu which must be respected.

Race 4: Percival Handicap

#5 Winner's Heart ran a blinder at only his second appearance last time out, finishing third beaten by only a short-head. Zac Purton retains the ride here which is a good push and his best is still yet to come. #9 California Rad has narrowly missed in his last two outings over this course and distance, He gets the cheek pieces for the first time here and if he's held his condition out of those two runs then he remains a winning chance. #3 Mehboob hasn't finished missed the top three this season, finishing runner-up on three occasions and winning once. He's ultra-consistent and the draw will afford him every opportunity. #1 Loriz is more than likely not going to find the front, especially with Alfred Chan and his 10lb apprentice claim being put to use. He's drawn well could pinch this.

Race 5: Wong Nai Chung Handicap

#3 Oriental Elite has been consistent all season. He's now had three runs under his belt this term and with race-fitness on his side, he could go on with things here under Neil Callan. #1 Thunder Stomp has hit form his last two outings, placing in each by a short margin. He's drawn to get the right run for Grant van Niekerk and it wouldn't be a surprise to see this galloper win his way into Class 3. #4 Dor Dor has won two out of his last three starts, both times over this course and distance. He's the in-form galloper of the field and if his condition remains at it's current level, he's going to find himself in the finish. #5 Casa De Forca snatched third two starts ago. He's drawn to get the right run and his best measures up in this level, especially with Joao Moreira hopping in the plate.

Race 6: Sports Road Handicap (2nd Section)

#9 G Unit is more than capable of giving master trainer John Moore his 1700th Hong Kong win. He's a two-time winner already this season and from the inside draw he rates to snare a third here. #4 Baby beat a hot field last start including the likes of Aurora Pegasus, Victory Power and Special Stars. Jimmy Ting has a red-hot record at the Valley this season having trained 15 winners at the city circuit. Alexis Badel takes the reins fresh of riding six winners last week and this galloper remains the main danger. #3 Jumbo Happiness gets the services of Zac Purton. He's drawn to get the right run and his booking warrants consideration. #11 Relentless Me is next best.

Race 7: Russell Handicap

#11 Naboo Star has hit his straps of late, winning two starts ago for the first time before narrowly missing at his latest, both times over this course and distance. He slots in here with only 115lb on his back which is a big relief considering he lugged 132lb to grab second last time. He can go on with it here. #2 Magnificent does his best racing with Zac Purton in the plate. He has the gate speed to overcome the wide draw and this could well be a repeat of his dominant win two starts ago. #4 Horsesain Bolt ran a blinder on debut, finishing third to Super Star over seven furlongs. He receives a welcome step up in trip here and the inside draw should afford him every opportunity. #3 Bear Again has been consistent. He'll roll forward to make his own luck and as a Class 3 winner already he demands respect.

Race 8: Sports Road Handicap (1st Section)

#1 Super Turbo receives a welcome drop to Class 3 here. Still, he's raced well this term in Class 2 but if he manages to produce his blistering best that we've seen previously, then he should prove hard to hold out, especially with Zac Purton taking the reins for the first time this season. #4 Meridian Genius has gone to another level this season, winning two of three and finishing runner-up in between these. He should get a nice run in transit and once again prove a competitive talent on the rise. #6 Flying Genius is expected to roll forward to negate the wide draw. He's a two-time winner already across his short four-start career he appears to still have a number of ratings points in hand. #8 This Is Class has shown his class and although this is difficult, he's in-form and should be thereabouts for the dynamite combination of Francis Lui & Vincent Ho.