Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing taking place at Happy Valley and Tampa Bay Downs.
Other international racing taking place on Wednesday:
Ascot
Sunshine Coast
Happy Valley
Neil Morrice Tips
Happy Valley Best Bets
Race 1: No1 – GALAXY RACER
Trainer: Caspar Fownes – Jockey: Joao Moreira
The blinkered top weight GALAXY RACER has plenty going for him and can notch a deserved first win of the campaign for ‘King Of The Valley’ Fownes. Since getting the headgear added on his first start for the trainer in February the selection has gone 2-3-3, posing the question of whether he wants to win. I think he can answer that question in the affirmative with Moreira on board for the first time. BREAK RECORD looks to have been deserted by that jockey, who rode him to victory here last month, but the 5yo gets new arrival Antoine Hamelin whose been right in the zone and this combo can figure. CHARITYDREAM breaks from the rail and is better than his form figures indicate, and should be included.
Prediction: 1-2-11
Race 2: No8 – YEE CHONG PEGASUS
Trainer: Tony Millard – Jockey: Chad Schofield
Six-year-old entire YEE CHONG PEGASUS has looked better than ever in three starts this season in which he’s posted a win and two seconds. The only concern is that all his recent racing has been at Sha Tin, and he’s never won at the Valley. However, all four of his outings for Millard have yielded cheques of some kind and I fancy another is on its way. The lightly-raced COMPASSION SPIRIT takes the eye after a good run in defeat last time but to date all his form has happened at Sha Tin. ALL WONGCHOY could be hard to peg back if getting competitive from a handy gate for a horse that likes to lead, and has won here over the distance.
Prediction: 8-10-5
Race 3: No3 – TUNG WAH GLORY
Trainer: Benno Yung – Jockey: Zac Purton
TUNG WAH GLORY impressively opened his account in a Class 4 at Sha Tin with Purton in the irons. The champ remains loyal to the 5yo who should appreciate the extra yardage at the same handicap level, although the gate (10) could have been kinder. METHANE can also have a say in this in spite of a defeat in first-time blinkers last time He retains the headgear under a jockey who is overdue. TRIUMPHANT HORSE is drawn to enjoy the luxury of an uncontested lead under Moreira. His form is pretty solid, but front runners tended to come back last week.
Prediction: 3-5-2
Race 4: No2 – SHANGHAI MASTER
Trainer: Francis Lui – Jockey: Zac Purton
SHANGHAI MASTER has improved from race to race through the campaign and the dual course and distance scorer is primed to come good with track, trip, ground, and jockey all thumbed up. He caught the eye finishing third on his latest start early in March and encouragingly has Purton doing the steering for the first time. VICTORY MASTER hasn’t quite convinced that he’s in his comfort zone, but following one of his better efforts, last time needs respecting. They say weight stops trains, but even though he’s climbed up the ratings, HAPPY GOOD GUYS can take a hand in the finish as his connections mull a possible rise into Class 3 after today.
Prediction: 2-7-1
Race 5: No11 – SUPER WINNER
Trainer: Dennis Yip – Jockey: Joao Moreira
One of the trickier heats on the card but one in which SUPER WINNER can live up to his name. He’s currently a nine-race maiden with consecutive frame finishes on his last three outings, but the difference is he’s gone very well in a trial since the last of those on March 1 and now has Moreira on top for the first time. CALIFORNIA RAD has threatened to win in seven starts and has shown his best form at the Valley with three near-misses in the New Year. He now returns refreshed from a 63-day break. SUPER LUCKY will need luck from his wide gate but knows how to handle trouble and could well have been boosted by a deserved success last time.
Prediction: 11-6-3
Race 6: No3 – SHOUSON
Trainer: John Moore – Jockey: Zac Purton
Seeking a fourth success of the campaign and on the cusp of a further move up the class ladder, SHOUSON rates one of the best bets of the day. All those wins happened at the city track with Purton in the plate, while he was most impressive in coming home unchallenged on his latest start. One that could prove a fly in the ointment is CHARIZARD who has won from his current mark and is drawn to get a good shot at the leaders at the business end. BEAUTY SPARK has finished third in each of his five appearances and is going to deliver soon, although perhaps not today.
Prediction: 3-5-7
Race 7: No7 – HEAVENLY THOUGHT
Trainer: Frankie Lor – Jockey: Joao Moreira
From gate two, So You Think gelding HEAVENLY THOUGHT has good prospects of continuing his earning sequence. Since Moreira jumped onto him he’s posted 2212 and although beaten threequarters of a length by SUNSHINE WARRIOR a month back has a good chance of turning the tables. The latter was posting a second win from just four starts that day and also has a good gate from which to operate. JOLLY HONOUR should lead that pair up from his slot on the rail after a win in a Class 3 last time and should be right there at the business end.
Prediction: 7-5-3
Race 8: No12 – CONFUCIUS DAY
Trainer: Michael Chang – Jockey: Victor Wong
Unfortunate not to have won so far this campaign, CONFUCIUS DAY gets weight from everything else in the field and might be hard to peg back if his jockey can get him across and onto the lead. From gate nine that might not prove too difficult even though this is a higher level than the gelding is used to. At the other end of the spectrum, WINNING METHOD has to concede lumps of weight after his recent win but has a good gate from which to attack. The joker in the pack is AMAZING KNIGHT who was unbeaten in two starts for William Haggas in Britain before joining the John Moore barn, and after two readying trials could be anything.
Prediction: 12-2-1
Race 9: No2 – HELENE CHARISMA
Trainer: John Moore – Jockey: Blake Shinn
HELENE CHARISMA’s last win happened at this course back in September last year, since then he’s campaigned mainly at Sha Tin. Interestingly the selection has improved from race to race, and now, back on his favoured patch, can continue that progression into the winner’s circle. ENRICHMENT has hit the woodwork a couple of times and should attract a deal of the handle in this ‘getting out’ contest, thereby proving the main threat to the selection. There’s a race to be won with HIGH REV who grabbed third in a blanket finish at Sha Tin last time, and is a must include in exotics.
Prediction: 2-9-8
JACKPOT Race 6-9
3, 5, 7/ 7, 5, 3, 9/ 12, 2, 1/ 2, 9, 8, 3
R144
Tampa Bay Downs Best Bets
Race 2 (Maiden Special Weight): No5 – CHARLIECANDO
Trainer: James Gulick – Jockey: Samy Camacho
CHARLIECANDO has joined a barn that is firing at 50% over the past fortnight so is in the right hands to deliver on first start for 277 days. He posted a couple of near misses and has shown enough in recent workouts to suggest he can prevail for top connections at the track. Nobodyknowsnothin has claims if able to recapture his good Gulfstream form on a first outing for his trainer. Equally, My Eclair has attracted support on both career starts, and after placing both times can get into it.
Prediction: 5-6-8
Race 4 (Maiden Claiming): No5 – MILBURN
Trainer: Anthony Granitz – Jockey: Samy Camacho
As a beaten favourite MILBURN left the cash behind here all of a year ago, since when he’s changed stables. The Lemon Drop Kid colt remains a horse with potential and will be hard to beat if ready. Old Fort has had plenty of chances and as a beaten favourite on his last two starts is looking to prove his critics wrong. In a similar place is American Driven who is getting closer to the winning line with each run.
Prediction: 5-9-10
Race 6 (Claiming): No6 – I’M THAT BIRD
Trainer: James Gulick – Jockey: Samy Camacho
The team behind I’M THAT BIRD are firing at an enviable strike-rate and this filly will be hard to keep out of the money. She’s had a nice break between races and on her third start back should be ready to pop. Potential hurdles to overcome are Rosalda and Big Angel, both of whom have the ability to take the spoils if enjoying the rub of the green.
Prediction: 6-4-9
