Racing this Wednesday sees an entertaining card at Happy Valley Racecourse which includes the running of nine competitive handicaps. The best bet, value bet and bi-pot must be followed closely.
VALUE BET – EXCEPTIONAL NICE ridden by A. Badel
BEST BET – FA FA ridden by C. Ho
Race 1 – Time: 12:45 Class 4 Handicap – 1200m
Selections: 1/9/6
ISLAND SHINE shoulders top weight but he produced an eye-catching run in his last start. He hung at the 150m on that occasion and finished strongly on the outside of the track. AMAZEMENT raced wide into the home turn last time and that effort is probably best ignored. Moreira has kept faith in the mount and with better luck in running, should give a good account of himself.
Race 2 – Time: 13:15 Class 5 Handicap – 1200m
Selections: 11/8/4
SHANGAI POWER made vast progress in his last start under Teetan. He received a bump at the 1150m last time and despite racing three-wide, stayed on for second best. If confirming that effort he will be difficult to peg back. ARDENODE raced on heels at the 150m and when a gap opened he stayed on well. He has cracked another neat draw and should strip much fitter for this contest.
Race 3 – Time: 13:45 Class 4 Handicap – 1000m
Selections: 7/8/4
TRAVEL DATUK got going too late and cost himself by hanging inwards in the closing stages last time out. He is a sort that likes to produce his run from off the pace, looks fairly handicapped and is the narrow first selection. PACKING CHAMPION cut throats up front last time and was only passed in the latter stages. He gets Purton in the saddle, who may be able to coax a little extra out of him where it matters most.
Race 4 – Time: 14:15 Class 2 Handicap – 1650m
Selections: 3/2/7
GREEN LUCK followed up his most recent win with two decent efforts. He is well-drawn and a mile seems to be his best trip at this stage of his career. THE ROCK set the pace last time and the manner in which he drew away from the opposition suggests there is more to come from this individual. The only concern is that his form shows that he does have a slight preference for racing at Sha Tin.
Race 5 – Time: 14:45 Class 4 Handicap – 1200m
Selections: 9/1/12
NOBLE DESIRE is better than his below par last outing when caught wide in a fast-run race. He has cracked a better draw, will benefit from an apprentice claim and has strong claims on his penultimate run. TELECOM ROCKET followed up his most recent win with two decent efforts. He had to be checked at the 600m last time and probably should have finished closer as a result. He is well-drawn and should make his presence felt in this line-up.
Race 6 – Time: 15:15 Class 4 Handicap – 1650m
Selections: 2/6/3
FA FA is the best bet on the card. He started his engine up a bit too late when narrowly beaten at the wire in his last start. He was pushed back from seven lengths off the pace on that occasion and made up good ground. He is well-drawn and definitely has the potential to get back to winning ways. ERNEST FEELING finished runner-up last time and has warranted his entry into Class 4. He is drawn wide and gets Teetan up, who should give him all the necessary assistance from the saddle.
Race 7 – Time: 15:45 Class 3 Handicap – 1200m
Selections: 4/7/5
ALL FOR SOUTH looked a winner at the 100m last time out. He moved up with intent on that occasion and was only outrun in the latter stages. He looks fairly handicapped once again and could be one to cause an upset. STOICISM dictated terms well last time and was reported to have been cut into which the makes the effort that much more encouraging. If he can switch off early in the race, then he may be difficult to peg back.
Race 8 – Time: 16:15 Class 3 Handicap – 1650m
Selections: 8/2/9
EXCEPTIONAL NICE has found one better in his last two outings under Badel. He set the pace last time and was only caught late. He has cracked pole position and definitely represents decent each-way value for Hong Kong racing pundits. HELENE WISDOM STAR ran on from far back last time when narrowly defeated at the wire. He is a sort that likes to settle off the pace and should be doing his best work in the final furlong.
Race 9 – Time: 16:50 Class 3 Handicap – 1200m
Selections: 2/1/7
BE READY finished positively up the rail in his last start over this C&D. He settled in a prominent position just behind the leaders and stayed on strongly at the business end. He is drawn wide and if getting across without using up too much energy, should be one of the leading contenders. CALIFORNIA CONCHORD placed in his last outing over this C&D. He will benefit from an apprentice claim and at the weights, must be included in all bets.
