3 minute read

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

Race 1: #5 Bundle Of Energy, #8 Golden Cannon, #2 Everyone's Elite, #1 Kanbeki Molly
Race 2: #5 Good For You, #7 Methane, #3 Harmony N Home, #1 Confucius Day
Race 3: #3 Amazing Star, #2 Oriental Elite, #4 Zero Hedge, #10 The Abraxas
Race 4: #8 Electric Lightning, #3 Starlit Knight, #11 Speedy Wally, #2 Play Wise
Race 5: #1 Casa De Forca, #4 City Legend, #3 Flame Lily, #6 Enjoy Life
Race 6: #2 Joyful Union, #11 Mr Picasso, #12 Hardly Swears, #1 Perfect Glory
Race 7: #1 Saul's Special, #2 Speedy King, #3 Yee Cheong Baby, #12 Cue The Music
Race 8: #5 Mr Aldan, #3 Picken, #1 Reliable Team, #10 Cinquante Cinq
Race 9: #5 Shining Ace, #1 Lone Eagle, #11 Aurora Pegasus, #2 Solomon's Bay

Race 1: Aster Handicap

#5 Bundle Of Energy is winless. Still, he's racing well and although he's taken his time to acclimatise to Hong Kong, he has shown that he is capable of winning given the right circumstances, which he appears to get here with Zac Purton hopping in the plate. #8 Golden Cannon does his best racing over this course and distance. He's had two runs this campaign and from the inside draw he should receive every chance. #2 Everyone's Elite flashed home from the tail of the field at Sha Tin over 1400m last start and although that style of racing isn't generally favoured at the Valley, he does get a welcome step up in distance which could see him make his presence felt. #1 Kanbeki Molly steps back to Class 5. This might be what he needs to break through.

Race 2: Dandelion Handicap

#5 Good For You trialled well and although he was winless last season, his latest trial effort was impressive and in an open race, he could make his presence felt. #7 Methane was declared a non-runner last start after his head was down and he was affected at the start. Still, he managed to rattle home quite well, enough so to suggest that he could test this bunch with a fair beginning. #3 Harmony N Home steps out on debut. He'll break from a good gate and the booking of Zac Purton for his first outing suggests he has plenty of early toe. #1 Confucius Day is next best.

Race 3: Dandelion Handicap

#3 Amazing Star steps back to Class 4 and his latest trial effort at Sha Tin caught the eye. He's the one to beat and he should be going on with things here for Hong Kong's champion jockey, Zac Purton. #2 Oriental Elite is a course and distance winner previously. He was withdrawn first-up however, his best is more than up to beating this field and the soft draw should ensure he gets his chance to do so. #4 Zero Hedge grabbed second on the dirt last start. He can continue his good form here, especially as a two-time course and distance winner. #10 The Abraxas can figure with a positive ride.

Race 4: Hibiscus Handicap

#8 Electric Lightning narrowly missed by half a length last start at 25/1 under Lyle Hewitson. He did more than enough that day to suggest that with the same run, he could give connections a deserved win. #3 Starlit Knight has gone close in each of his last two outings, missing by just over a length in each. Expect Zac Purton uses the gate to lead here and with an even tempo set, he can go on with it. #11 Speedy Wally has placed in his last three outings. His consistency holds him in good stead for this and although the draw is awkward, he still remains a winning hope. #2 Play Wise has experience on his side. He's next best.

Race 5: Hibiscus Handicap

#1 Casa De Forca is the likely leader from the inside draw under apprentice Alfred Chan, who takes a crucial 10lb off his back. He narrowly missed last start and if he takes luck out of the equation by stringing them along here then he's capable of going on with it. #4 City Legend is racing well having placed in his last two outings. He's a perennial non-winner although, his recent form this season has been strong suggesting that he may have just needed to get down to his mark. #3 Flame Lily broke through for his first win two starts ago at his 17th attempt. He's still in winning form however; against him is the amount of pace in the race which could see him do a stack of work early from the wide alley. #6 Enjoy Life is capable and he's not without a place chance.

Race 6: The Australian Turf Club Trophy (Handicap)

#2 Joyful Union is lightly raced and is a course and distance winner previously. He resumed nicely first up to grab fourth behind Le Terroir and if he's come one from that run, he's going to prove difficult to beat. #11 Mr Picasso steps up in grade following his Class 4 course and distance win last start. He can figure again here with no weight on his back, as long as he can overcome the awkward draw. #12 Hardly Swears seeks the hat-trick of wins. He's drawn low and should be afforded every opportunity; he just needs to handle the step up to Class 3. #1 Perfect Glory steps back to Class 3. He'll get his chance and the booking of Zac Purton signals intent.

Race 7: Hydrangea Handicap

#1 Saul's Special was well beaten last start behind Aethero who has since scored impressively in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint. This assignment is much easier and he returns to his preferred course and distance. He's capable of winning here as the top rated horse; he just needs to overcome the awkward draw. #2 Speedy King doesn't know how to run a bad race. He's looking for back-to-back wins here against a similar field and in his favour is that he remains in the same class. #3 Yee Cheong Baby snatched third behind Speedy King last start after being sent around as a 1.5 favourite. He can bounce back with two runs under his belt and the retention of Zac Purton on his back. #12 Cue The Music is an eye-catching talent from South Africa. He's drawn to run a race here and with two runs under his belt already, he could be worth keeping an eye on at a price.

Race 8: Roselle Handicap

#5 Mr Aldan ran a blinder last start from the tail of the field and if he gets a race run to suit here, he could take a power of beating with the right run. #3 Picken was awfully unlucky last start, having been blocked for a run at crucial stages which clearly cost him the race. He can bounce with a clean run. #1 Reliable Team has impressed stepping up to 1650m. This is his second attempt over this distance and he's expected to relish it further. #10 Cinquante Cing is next best. 

Race 9: Waratah Handicap

#5 Shining Ace is a winner in this grade and if he can offset the awkward draw, he's capable of going on with it again. This is a strong affair but his consistency warrants respect and this race is well within his reach. #1 Lone Eagle has shown steady improvement across both of his outings so far and he appears ready now to piece it all together. #11 Aurora Pegasus seeks the hat-trick. He'll need to handle the class rise but if he can, he's going to be in the finish. #2 Solomon's Bay is a place chance.