3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Wednesday’s race meeting at Happy Valley (27/01/21).

Race 1: #3 Great Son, #5 Vital Spring, #2 Fantastic Fabio, 1 Noble Man
Race 2: #10 Happy Hour, #1 Humble Steed, #5 Virtus Star, #2 California Legend
Race 3: #7 My Ecstatic, #11 Courageous Dragon, #2 Jazz Steed, #1 Sprint Forward
Race 4: #10 Romantic Trove, #4 Ever Force, #9 Peak To Peak, #1 Champ Patrol
Race 5: #1 Nextmodel, #5 My My My, #3 Whiskey Neat, #2 Moment Of Power
Race 6: #2 Charizard, #1 Divine Unicorn, #4 V Chevaliers, #7 Daily Beauty
Race 7: #6 Kurpany, #9 Man Star, #3 Flying Genius, #8 Fabulous Eight
Race 8: #4 Sunshine Warrior, #5 Magnificent, #9 Delightful Laos, #2 Star Shine
Race 9: #12 Farshad, #4 Royal Bomb, #8 Savaquin, #1 Cinquante Cinq

Race 1: Murray Handicap

#3 Great Son gets a handy seven-pound claim from apprentice Jerry Chau and, from the good gate he should be able to roll forward and play catch me if you can. #5 Vital Spring is racing well and draws well for the in-form Vincent Ho and Francis Lui. #2 Fantastic Fabio steps down to Class 5 where he is a three-time winner. #1 Noble Man also makes the drop down in grade. He's next best.

Race 2: Queensway Handicap

#10 Happy Hour narrowly missed last time out and he is capable of going one better here. He draws well and gets the favourable services of champion jockey Zac Purton as he nears the bottom of Class 5. #1 Humble Steed was a winner in this grade over the course and distance last term. #5 Virtus Star won three on the bounce earlier this season and since then has been racing consistently. #2 California Legend draws well and gets his chance with Christophe Soumillon up.

Race 3: Ice House Handicap (2nd Section)

#7 My Ecstatic narrowly missed last start and, off that run, he rates as the one to beat. He's starting to realise his ability that he showed in his trials prior to his debut and, with even luck from the draw, he is the one to beat. #11 Courageous Dragon is consistent and slots in light with no weight on his back. #2 Jazz Steed gets a handy seven-pound claim from apprentice Alfred Chan. He draws well and should get his opportunity. #1 Sprint Forward is capable and bears close watching.

Race 4: Ice House Handicap (1st Section)

Although #10 Romantic Trove draws poorly, he does have more ability than his form suggests and, with even luck, he is capable of winning. Strong booking of Vincent Ho commands respect. #4 Ever Force is on the up and did clock a close-up fourth last start at only his second start. He gets Zac Purton atop now and does draw favourably. #9 Peak To Peak is steadily improving. Suspect he needs a few more runs but he's not without a chance under Joao Moreira. #1 Champ Patrol can be competitive.

Race 5: Glenealy Handicap

#1 Nextmodel has the gate speed to cross and lead. With Christophe Soumillon he rates as the one they all have to beat no stepping down to Class 4. #5 My My My crossed the line first ahead of subsequent debut winner Winner Method. He's a lightly raced prospect with a bright future. #3 Whiskey Neat is consistent but is still looking for his first win. He draws well and is racing well. #2 Moment Of Power steps down to Class 4 and gets the services of champion jockey Zac Purton. He commands respect.

Race 6: Lambeth Handicap

#2 Charizard ran a strong race last start to narrowly miss by a short head. He gets his chance here with Christophe Soumillon retaining the ride from gate four. #1 Divine Unicorn steps down in grade and gets a handy seven-pound claim from apprentice Jerry Chau. The wide draw is a negative but he should get his chance in his spot. #4 V Chevaliers is nothing short of consistent and he warrants plenty of respect with three wins to his name this term. #7 Daily Beauty is a course and distance winner. He should be around the mark again.

Race 7: Connaught Handicap

#6 Kurpany exploded to record a first Hong Kong win last start in impressive style. He can go back-to-back here off the back of that as he does, remain in Class 3 following that win. #9 Man Star is lightly raced but has shown considerable talent. He draws well and should get every opportunity here. #3 Flying Genius is better than his last start ninth suggests. He can bounce back. #8 Fabulous Eight is racing well and could easily jump out of the ground at any time.

Race 8: Chater Handicap

#4 Sunshine Warrior returns to the turf where he was, a winner two starts ago. He gets Zac Purton up and he's proven a formidable force in this grade over the course and distance. #5 Magnificent can roll forward here under Vincent Ho and play catch me if you can. #9 Delightful Laos has a powerful finish on him but will need luck if he is to come from last once again. #2 Star Shine is consistent in his spot.

Race 9: Des Voeux Handicap

#12 Farshad slots in light and is a winner off this mark previously. Strong booking of Vincent Ho warrants respect. #4 Royal Bomb exploded for a first Hong Kong win last start at Sha Tin. He steps up in trip now but does, look as though he'll handle it. #8 Savaquin kept on strongly for a close-up sixth last time out. Joao Moreira takes the reins now and he only needs to overcome the wide draw to be competitive. #1 Cinquante Cinq grabbed a competitive fifth at G3 level last time out. He draws well and gets a much-need seven-pounds taken off thanks to Jerry Chau's apprentice claim.