3 minute read

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

Race 1: #1 Saul's Special, #8 Sunny Boy, #9 Beauty Rush, #7 Hong Kong Bet

Race 2: #3 Charity Wings, #1 God Of Dragon, #6 Indigenous Star, #7 Bundle Of Energy

Race 3: #4 Naboo Star, #9 Savannah Wind, #1 Amazing Satchmo, #7 The Full Bloom

Race 4: #7 Smart Of Youth, #3 Takingufurther, #4 Grand Harbour, #9 Cheeky Bee

Race 5: #5 Golden Glory, #11 Lightning Steed, #7 Dollar Reward, #2 Gift Of Lifeline

Race 6: #6 Xiang Bai Qi, #2 Arcada, #1 Sichuan Dar, #12 Tangmere

Race 7: #6 Reliable Team, #7 Guvnor, #11 Fantastic Fabio, #3 California Argent,

Race 8: #4 My Ally, #11 Le Terroir, #9 Jumbo Prize, #5 Blitzing

Race 1: Cheung Hong Handicap

#1 Saul's Special scored at his final run of last season over this course and distance. With even luck, he's capable of doing the same again and although he has top weight duties to contend with, the good draw should afford him every opportunity. #8 Sunny Boy was engaged in a battle for the speed last start on the dirt. Take nothing away, he's still racing well and he's sure to put himself in the race. #9 Beauty Rush trialled impressively, scoring by a comfortable margin under a strong hold. He remains a big watch on debut for Moreira/Size. #7 Hong Kong Bet returns first-up. He makes his Class 2 debut which is always difficult but he appears to have a number of ratings points in hand. 

Race 2: Oi Man Handicap

#3 Charity Wings is consistent. He's a three-time winner from 28 starts who off his latest trial appears capable of building on that record. #1 God Of Dragon is winless. He's trialled well for this first-up assignment and although it's taken him a while, he doesn't appear far away from piecing it all together. #6 Indigenous Star won two of his last three outings at the tail end of last season. He's had one run already this campaign which holds him in good stead for this. #7 Bundle Of Energy has drawn well and he should be around the mark again. 

Race 3: Oi Man Handicap

#4 Naboo Star returns after a winless debut campaign last season. This isn't an overly strong field and his near misses last season suggest a win is nearing. #9 Savannah Wind typically prefers further, however with no weight on his back against a weak field he could find himself figuring. #1 Amazing Satchmo returns to Class 4 where he is a two-time winner. Strong booking of Zac Purton signals intent and he deserves respect against this bunch. #7 The Full Bloom shocked over this course and distance at 166-1 last season. He remains a big watch for Dennis Yip with Joao Moreira up.

Race 4: Shun Lee Handicap

#7 Smart Of Youth makes his debut. He's trialled very well leading into this and he appears forward enough to win at his first attempt. Rails draw should see him on the speed early, if not in the lead, under Zac Purton. #3 Takingufurther scored at his final run of last season. He's a smart customer who can continue his climb up the ratings. #4 Grand Harbour is a veteran of 87 starts. He's had the one run under his belt already this season and Alfred Chan's 10lb claim ensures he gets in well at the weights. #9 Cheeky Bee is winless, although, his latest trial was encouraging and he might have just needed time to acclimatise to life in Hong Kong.

Race 5: Shun Lee Handicap

#5 Golden Glory is a three-time course and distance winner. He has a suitable gate for this, and against a field devoid of early speed, he's capable of rolling forward and making his own luck. #11 Lightning Steed is consistent and he appears to have returned to a competitive mark. He can't be overlooked down in the weights. #7 Dollar Reward defied his poor trial performance to win first-up last start. He remains in Class 4 which suits and this race is well within his reach. #2 Gift Of Lifeline will need luck from the rear of the field, but, if he gets it he should then have every chance to run home strongly.

Race 6: The Community Chest Cup (Handicap)

#6 Xiang Bai Qi is winless. He found form at the back end of last season and if he's held it, he's worth taking a chance on. #2 Arcada is a two-time course and distance winner. He's had the benefit of one run this season where he was caught on the pace early, but if he's much better ridden with a sit he should improve and Alfred Chan's 10lb claim suits. #1 Sichuan Dar makes a welcome drop to Class 3. He's lost his form since two seasons ago and against weaker company he should get his chance to recapture it. #12 Tangmere gets in with just 117lb on his back. Expect improvement off his first-up performance. 

Race 7: Wah Fu Handicap

#6 Reliable Team is unbeaten in two starts. 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. #7 Guvnor is an interesting runner. He's shown very little across his career however, his latest was impressive and since then he's done a lot of fast-work to ensure he is fit. He might be worth something small if he opens up at odds. #11 Fantastic Fabio loves the course and distance.  He can figure with next to no weight on his back. #3 California Argent has ability although he has struggled to pull it all together. He's trialled well and he might be the outsider worth including.

Race 8: Wah Fu Handicap

#4 My Ally makes his stable debut for John Moore ahead of his third season. He was a winner last time out after making all which is exactly what he is expected to do again here, especially off an impressive trial leading into this. The wide draw makes things tricky but he gets Zac Purton in the attempt of offsetting this. #11 Le Terroir is racing well. He rarely runs a bad race and he's proven himself to be competitive against this company. #9 Jumbo Prize has trialled well and he showed last season that he had more ratings points in hand. #5 Blitzing is next best.