Racing this Wednesday sees an action-packed 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 – RAINBOW LIGHT ridden by K. Teetan BEST BET – CAPITAL STAR ridden by J. Moreira Bi-pot: 1,11/1,5,6/1,3/4,10/6,12/1,7
Race 1 – Time: 12:45 Class 4 Handicap – 1200m
Selections: 1/11/10
COLONEL comes in at the top of the weights and has a wide draw to overcome but he moved up like a winner last time when only passed in the final furlong. NOBLE DESIRE finished second in his penultimate run under Poon and a repeat of that effort should see him challenge the top selection. ORIENTAL AMIGO has moderate recent form to his credit but he meets the right field today and can run into the money.
Race 2 – Time: 13:15 Class 3 Handicap – 1650m
Selections: 1/5/6
ROYAL BOMB ran on powerfully in his last start when only caught in the latter stages. He is well-drawn and despite shouldering top weight, should take a power of beating. SMOOTHIES has found one better in his last two starts and now gets the services of current champion jockey – Purton. He is drawn alongside the top selection and should make his presence felt. SURREALISM brings decent recent form, looks fairly handicapped and can run into the money once again.
Race 3 – Time: 13:45 Class 4 Handicap – 1000m
Selections: 1/3/5
HARMONY FIRE raced four-wide last time without cover and still stayed on strongly at the finish. He is drawn best of all and should have a better passage in this race. The South African-bred SUPER COMMANDER reunites with Shinn and will have to repeat his 28 Feb effort to have a say. SUGAMO produced a decent debut effort at Sha Tin. He led from the 400m on that occasion and was only outrun in the final furlong.
Race 4 – Time: 14:15 Class 4 Handicap – 1200m
Selections: 4/10/6
PEAK TO PEAK has placed in his last two starts under Moreira and is a sort that may be urged to lead if the pace doesn’t suit him. If overcoming his wide draw, he should prove difficult to reel in. MOONLUCK is another horse that has placed in his last two starts. He is still lightly raced and perhaps has more room for improvement. INNO LEGEND was cramped at a crucial stage last time, not ridden out to the finish and that effort is probably best ignored.
Race 5 – Time: 14:45 Class 4 Handicap – 1200m
Selections: 6/12/1
VIGOR CHAMP took a bump out of the gates last time and the manner in which he drew off in the closing stages suggests he can follow up. Also, it is encouraging that Teetan has kept faith in the ride. CHAMPION PRIDE comes in at the bottom of the weights and if settling in the race, can make his presence felt at the business end. SHOWINA went from gun to tape in his last start. He steps up into Class 4 and should be up to the task at hand.
Race 6 – Time: 15:15 Class 4 Handicap – 1650m
Selections: 7/1/2
RAINBOW LIGHT has finished strongly from off the pace in his last two starts under Teetan. He is a sort that likes to settle off the pace, do his best work late and definitely represents decent each-way value for Hong Kong racing pundits. REGENCY MASTER was narrowly beaten in his last start and despite shouldering top weight, can pose a threat to the top selection.
Race 7 – Time: 15:45 Class 3 Handicap – 1200m
Selections: 4/3/9
STOCK LEGEND backed up his supporter’s last time out when he moved up nicely and fought off a challenge to win. He is drawn best of all and will be looking to make it quick back-to-back wins. MCLUCKY made vast progress in his second outing when urged to share the lead. He rallied strongly on that occasion and was narrowly beaten at the wire. WOOD ON FIRE stayed on well last time despite experiencing an awkward start and a repeat of that effort, should see him finish in the money.
Race 8 – Time: 16:15 Class 3 Handicap – 1200m
Selections: 1/6/8
CAPITAL STAR is still relatively unexposed and has plenty scope for improvement. He set the pace last time and was outrun in the final 100m. He is drawn wide but with the benefit of an apprentice allowance, should take a power of beating. HARMONY AND BLESSED was reportedly lame last time which is concerning but is also a horse on the upgrade and if over those issues, can bounce back to best form.
Race 9 – Time: 16:50 Class 2 Handicap – 1200m
Selections: 4/5/1
SILVER FIG is in search of a hat-trick of wins. He was given a peach of a ride at Sha Tin last time and if suited to this course, will be mowing down the frontrunners in the dash to the wire. HANDSOME BO BO has found one better in his last two starts, is knocking on the door and must be respected from his inside draw. WILL POWER was forced to race wide last time under this apprentice and with better luck in running, can run into the money.
