Check out our Happy Valley tips for Wedesday’s racecard in Hong Kong.
Much of Wednesday’s horse racing focus will be on the UK’s scheduled fixtures at Yarmouth and Kempton, but for international racing fans there’s also another quality racecard across the globe at Happy Valley – one of Hong Kong racing’s premier venues – where a nine-race card awaits punters.
Our international racing expert has taken a look at the Wednesday racecard and gives his Happy Valley tips and best bets for the day’s Hong Kong racemeeting. Remember, you can watch the action on live streaming so you don’t miss out on a winner!
11:45 Happy Valley – Old Bailey Handicap (Class 3) (3yo+) (Course A) (Turf) (3yo+) 1m3f
BLASTOISE has been in good heart in recent starts, winning over a shorter trip here back in March when beating Holy Heart by a short-head and the Ambidexter gelding has hit the crossbar in both starts since in his quest to follow up.
He’s been beaten less than a length on both those defeats with the latest coming here in May behind Beauty Happy who reopposes. He was giving 6lbs to the winner and meets him now on 3lbs better terms so at the weights looks to hold solid claims of reversing that form in this latest outing if seeing out this longer trip.
He was doing good late work last time so the extra yardage of this contest shouldn’t pose an issue and there looks every chance that he can get his head back in front now.
1:15 Happy Valley – Staunton Handicap (Div 2) (Class 4) (3yo+) (Course A) (Turf) (3yo+) 6f
Unexposed SKY SHOW showed ability amid inexperience at Sha Tin back in March, finishing sixth and beaten just over two lengths behind Breeze Of Spring.
Jimmy Ting’s Showcasing gelding showed the benefit of that run to get off the mark at the second attempt where he scored readily from Smart Of Youth over course and distance, and sure to progress further he looks worth siding with to double up.
He made most of the running that day, taking up the baton after the first furlong and defying a wide draw in the process. Now much more favourably drawn from stall five he can improve again on the back of that success and he could prove a tough nut to crack taking on more exposed rivals in this latest contest.
1:45 Happy Valley – Wyndham Handicap (Div 2) (Class 4) (3yo+) (Course A) (Turf) (3yo+) 1m½f
BLOOMING SPIRIT wasn’t seen to best effect when finishing fifth last time out behind the reopposing Lightning Steed, but the Spirit Of Boom gelding had been in good heart previously and could be worth chancing to bounce back.
A two-time course and distance winner, registering the second of them back in March with a defeat of Snow Airjet, he was subsequently runner-up back here in April behind the useful Tangmere where he crossed the line less than three lengths’ adrift of the easy winner.
That defeat and his latest reversal have both come on an alternate layout of the Happy Valley track, while the faster ground might not have suited; but his last win came on this configuration and this ground holds no fears so he could make his presence felt having been drawn low for this assignment.
Winning trainer Kevin Ryan (left) congratulates Astaire and Neil Callan after their win in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes during day four of the 2013 Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York Racecourse, York.
2:45 Happy Valley – Cochrane Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+) (Course A) (Turf) (3yo+) 1m1f
RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE finished third over course and distance on his penultimate start where he was making his first start away from Sha Tin following his move to this yard from France.
The Siyouni gelding had won his two previous starts at Sha Tin prior to that defeat, but he wasted no time in regaining the winning thread back at that venue when last seen out where he beat Super Oasis by a neck.
He appeared to win a shade comfortably that day, denied a clear run at a crucial stage before finishing off strongly to snatch the victory in the shadows of the post. He’s been pushed up 6lbs in the ratings for that success, but the manner of the win hinted that he might still be ahead of his mark.
Assuming he proves as effective at this venue as at Sha Tin then there’s every chance Michael Chang’s charge can go close.