Racing this Wednesday sees a festive nine-race programme at Happy Valley Racecourse with a host of top quality racing on offer, the top bet and value bet, should be followed closely.
VALUE BET – WIND N GRASS
BEST BET – NAMJONG PLUS
|
R |
Time |
Conditions |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
|
1 |
12:45 |
1650m – |
6 |
4 |
2 |
9 |
10 |
|
2 |
13:15 |
1650m – |
4 |
11 |
3 |
2 |
13 |
|
3 |
13:45 |
1200m – |
11 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
|
4 |
14:15 |
1000m – |
4 |
11 |
10 |
1 |
12 |
|
5 |
14:45 |
1200m – Class 4 Handicap |
3 |
12 |
8 |
4 |
6 |
|
6 |
15:15 |
1200m – |
3 |
14 |
7 |
9 |
5 |
|
7 |
15:45 |
1650m – |
3 |
1 |
7 |
6 |
4 |
|
8 |
16:15 |
1200m – |
5 |
9 |
10 |
6 |
1 |
|
9 |
16:50 |
1200m – |
1 |
6 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
RACE 1
NITRO EXPRESS was unlucky not too win last time out. He raced on heels and just got going too late on that occasion. He gets Belgian ace Christophe Soumillon in the irons and he can make amends for his recent defeat. VIRTUS STAR reeled off the hat-trick last time out and interestingly remains in Class 5. It would be no surprise to see him notch up another victory. PRETTY BAUHINA found a form return last time out despite racing without cover and a repeat of that effort should see him run into the money.
RACE 2
INCANTO PREPARED runs well for Joao Moreira and he won impressively last time out on this course in the Hong Kong Jockey Challenge. He is drawn best of all and should give another really good account of himself. RUN THE TABLE just held on last time when a surprise winner on this course and despite the rise in class, he could be one to keep an eye on. METHANE had excuses last time as the apprentice dropped the reins and he cast a shoe in the running. If putting his best foot forward then he should be able to run into the trifecta.
RACE 3
MANAGEMENT SUPREME has been running on steadily under this rider in recent outings and just needs some help from the handicapper. He doesn’t take on the strongest field today and should be right there when they reach the business end of affairs. AMBITIOUS HEART ran on powerfully to win last time out. It is encouraging that Joao Moreira has kept faith in the ride and the pair must be respected. ORIENTAL AMIGO should have finished closer last time out. He was cramped for room in the final furlong on that occasion and with better luck in running he can enter the frame.
RACE 4
UNITED WE STAND has finished runner-up in his last three outings. He is at best over the minimum trip at this stage of his career and he gets Zac Purton aboard who may be able coax a little extra out of him where it matters most. UW BROTHER followed up his recent win with a decent runner-up berth. He is reunited with Joao Moreira and the pair can get back to winning ways. TRAVEL DATUK has placed in his last two outings. He was finishing strongly last time up the rail and must be considered for minor money.
RACE 5
REWARDING TOGETHER won his last start when moving up with authority in the final furlong. The manner in which he finished off his race suggests there is plenty more to come from this individual and he can make it back-to-back triumphs. WINNING WAYS was clear second-best last time out. French ace Alex Badel has got the best out of him thus far in his career but the slight concern is that he bled in his last outing. VICTORIA GENERAL made an eye-catching debut when he made late progress on this course. He should come on leaps from the experience and can run into the money once again.
RACE 6
GRATEFUL HEART won his penultimate start under Zac Purton. He is likely to race on the speed and if there is a decent pace in the race then he will be doing his best work in the latter stages of this contest. LOVING A BOOM was his own worst enemy last time out as he hung inwards at the 150m mark. If keeping on a straight line then he can throw out a challenge to the top selection. HARRIER JET has followed up recent win with two decent efforts. He has placed in his last two outings under this rider and could find himself back in the winner’s enclosure.
RACE 7
NAMJONG PLUS is the best bet on the card. He showed plenty guts and determination when narrowly beaten under this rider and from his inside barrier position he should take a power of beating. REEL BIZZY is much better than his last outing in the Hong Kong Jockey Challenge. If reproducing his attractive prior form then he will be right there in the mix. HELENE WISDOM STAR finished positively last time out. He is still very lightly raced and he can enter the frame with the natural improvement that is expected.
RACE 8
WIND N GRASS finished strongly off the pace last time out in the Hong Kong Jockey Challenge. He represents decent each-way value for Hong Kong racing pundits and will be mowing down the frontrunners in the run down to the line. FLYING BONUS dictated terms fairly well last time out when only collared late. Also, it is encouraging that Zac Purton has kept faith in the ride. KINDA COOL earned his second career win last time under Joao Moreira. Both of his career wins have come on this course and he should be able to make his presence felt once again.
RACE 9
WILL POWER moved up like a winner last time out to only be caught in the latter stages. He is without his regular rider today but will benefit from a 3kgs claiming apprentice and thus looks fairly handicapped in the lucky last. GOLDEN DASH showed guts and determination last time in the final furlong under this rider to get up in the shadow of the post. A repeat of that effort should see him pose a threat to the top selection. HONG KONG WIN has placed in his last two starts under Joao Moreira. He was beaten by the narrowest of margins and his next career triumph looks not too far away.
