Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing taking place at Will Rogers Downs, Tampa Bay Downs and Happy Valley.
Other international racing tips for Wednesday
Happy Valley
Doomben
Bendigo
Canterbury
Happy Valley – Anthony Delpech
Neil Morrice Tips
Will Rogers Downs Best Bets
Race 3 (Starter Allowance): No4 – MISS PERFECTA
Trainer: Jose Silva – Jockey: David Cabrera
These older distaffers have put together a bunch of recent winning sequences with CRAZY SEXY MUNNY and MULBERRY defending three-race unbeaten records this season and MISS PERFECTA on the trail of a magnificent five-timer. The last-named filly has readily landed the odds on her last couple of starts and is unbeaten in three outings at the track. Her credentials have a very solid look, making her the safest play in a fascinating heat.
Prediction: 4-7-3
Race 7 (Maiden Claiming): No4 – SPECTACULAR TEMPER
Trainer: Karl Broberg – Jockey: David Cabrera
The Broberg barn has established a near 50% strike-pattern in the last fortnight which adds lustre to the chances of SPECTACULAR TEMPER who should be fitter for her placed run at Sam Houston Park in late February. CECILIA’S A GEM gets a first look at the Will Rogers track after placing in four successive races at Sam Houston and if taking to it can get into the thick of it. INDELLIBLY got into the money over course and distance in early April and should also figure.
Tampa Bay Downs Best Bets
Race 5 (Allowance Optional Claiming): No 2 – TOP SEED
Trainer: Claude McGaughey – Jockey: Antonio Gallardo
In the famous Phipps colours, TOP SEED can show his disappointing Gulfstream run at this level to be all wrong. The son of Orb had delivered on his debut at the same track and returns to that six furlongs, having struggled to see out the seven. LEGACY AZTECA stepped up the class ladder to trouble the judge at this level last time after bagging two claimers and rates a genuine threat, while ELZABE’S ON BOARD can also be competitive.
Prediction: 2-6-8
Race 7 (Maiden Special Weight): No5 – CREED
Trainer: Claude McGaughey – Jockey: Antonio Gallardo
The beautifully-bred CREED is worth taking a chance with if he’s ready to deliver at the first time of asking. The Honor Code colt has done everything right in his preparation and can spoil the party for the more experienced pair BLAME THE CAKE and SENSE OF JUSTICE. Blame The Cake brings Saratoga form to the table, having placed in both starts last summer. Sense Of Justice also troubled the judge on his first run back in the Godolphin silks over course and distance earlier this month and is going to be wiser.
Prediction: 5-7-6
Race 8 (Allowance Optional Claiming): No4 – CLIFFY
Trainer: Michael Dini – Jockey: Antonio Gallardo
One of several winners in the field, CLIFFY took out a ten-runner maiden on debut here, and after a three-week gap can progress to remain unbeaten. SEA LOVER is a pea out of the same pod but his 16-1 triumph on introduction took connections by surprise. SUMMER ASSAULT was a costly favourite when overturned at 8-13 on second start at this level but consolidated when chasing home Doc Boy last month, and has guns to fire and can menace.
Prediction: 4-3-8
Happy Valley Best Bets
Race 1: No 9 – FOX CHEUNGER
Trainer: Francis Lui – Jockey: Matthew Chadwick
Since a stunning 33-1 triumph here in early February, FOX CHEUNGER has taken home a cheque on two of his three starts at Sha Tin. He’s done enough to show that success wasn’t a fluke, and back at his favoured course represents value to cause another minor upset. AURORA STEED has claims to grab the early lead from a favourable post under an in-form jockey and needs respecting. Another capable of raising his game is FIRE AND GOLD. He hasn’t shown much since his Sha Tin success before Christmas, but is now on third run back and has a good draw.
Prediction: 9-2-7
Race 2: No 3 – STARLIGHT
Trainer: Dennis Yip – Jockey: Antoine Hamelin
The riding of Hamelin has been widely praised since his arrival into the Club earlier in the month, with the Frenchman booting home four winners. He gets another chance to demonstrate his skill aboard STARLIGHT. Although the eight-year-old hasn’t won for well over a year all six of his career successes have happened at the city circuit and he’s dropped to a rating well under his last winning mark. In a wide-open heat SPEEDY LUCK needs considering as he’s now familiarised himself with the Hong Kong terrain and has a good draw. However, the main threat can stem from OVERSUBSCRIBED, who although costly to follow has got into the race on a tempting mark.
Prediction: 3-11-2
Race 3: No 8 – ABOVE
Trainer: John Moore – Jockey: Chad Schofield
Stepping into a Class 3 for the first time, ABOVE can carry on the good work that saw him score at Sha Tin at the end of last month. He’s shown how much of an improver he is by notching all four of his career wins within his last nine starts and was particularly impressive last time. LONDON HALL has been in his comfort zone moving up the distance ladder, and after winning his last two outings at Sha Tin should relish this first attempt at 2200 metres. From his wide gate STIMULATION could find himself all dressed up with nowhere to go, but if the cards fall right spells danger.
Prediction: 8-6-4
Race 4: No 5 – CHARITY GRAND
Trainer: Danny Shum – Jockey: Antoine Hamelin
Old man of the party STAR MAJESTIC needs to look lively at the gate and ensure ELECTRIC LIGHTNING doesn’t poach too much of an early lead. But if breaking the first-named horse can go close to ending a more than two-year wait for a win. He’s run well on all three outings under Club jockey Shinn, including when finding only Charity Wings too strong for him here in March, while again bagging minor money in the race won by Righteous Mate at Sha Tin last time. Electric Lightning raised his game when losing out in a photo to Focus which was by far his best effort of the year but with three readying runs under his belt CHARITY GRAND gets the vote. He’s a lightly-raced individual with the look of a winner waiting to happen.
Prediction: 5-2-9
Race 5: No 5 – WINNING WAYS
Trainer: Danny Shum – Jockey: Zac Purton
WINNING WAYS has enjoyed a bountiful time since his arrival in the Shum stable, posting a win, two seconds and a third from only five outings. Purton knows how to get the best out of the gelding, the vast majority of whose starts have been here at the Valley. The main stumbling block is FARM BUMPER whose chance would be given a boost if Aurora Steed acquits himself well in the first. He beat the latter over course and distance early last month and then went down fighting to Zero Hedge on his latest start. Furthermore, he has a favourable slot in the gate. For sheer consistency, MEHBOOB has to go in the mix after going 2332 in his four appearances this year.
Prediction: 5-9-1
Race 6: No 2 – TANGMERE
Trainer: Caspar Fownes – Jockey: Zac Purton
TANGMERE came good at the 20th attempt when scoring here early last month and if in the same mood can go in again. He battled hard to repel Methane, whose subsequent form hasn’t tarnished the worth of the victory. Sharing top weight with him is CHARITY WINGS who himself ended a near 14-month wait for a win when holding Star Majestic, and that horse can provide a line onto the form when contesting Race 4. BLOOMING SPIRIT has delivered in two of his last three starts over course and distance. If turning out in a similar mood he seems destined to take out a slice of the pie.
Prediction: 2-1-6
Race 7: No 4 – LUCKY QUALITY
Trainer: Caspar Fownes – Jockey: Zac Purton
With Purton doing the steering for the first time from the favoured rail, LUCKY QUALITY can prove hard to stop. On his latest start in first-time blinkers and on return from 100 days off, the gelding flashed home over the course and distance to be beaten into fifth in a blanket finish. Now all the better for that run, there’s sufficient improvement in the tank for him to take the spoils. HAPPY GOOD GUYS won on his first start this year over five furlongs and again over this six in mid-March. He wasn’t beaten far when taking home a minor cheque last time and figures to be in the thick of things again. Course and distance winner FLYING GODSPELL went down fighting in a three-way photo last time, and can’t be safely discounted.
Prediction: 4-2-6
Race 8: No 1 – DANCING FIGHTER
Trainer: Caspar Fownes – Jockey: Zac Purton
If rediscovering his excellent form from last year DANCING FIGHTER will take plenty of stopping. The top weight was compromised by having to challenge eight wide on his reappearance and a line is readily drawn through that run. However, it should have served the purpose of bringing the five-year-old forward to somewhere near the form he was in when scoring back-to-back successes before Christmas. BEAUTY AMIGO is one that can earn and represents the value play, even though he needs to improve to challenge the main pick. And one that could prove a fly in the ointment is GOLDEN DASH, who has the ability to win this but might be just in need of a first outing in 322 days following problems.
Prediction: 1-3-2
Race 9: No 4 – LARSON
Trainer: John Moore – Jockey: Zac Purton
LARSON to gun down CLASSIC UNICORN is the way I can see the nightcap panning out. The selection deservedly opened his account here a fortnight ago and looks poised to graduate on to better things. Purton jumps on him for the first time and the combination can prevent Classic Unicorn from leading all the way from the favoured rail. At bigger odds, CALIFORNIA ARCHER has to be considered as he finished just a length and a half behind Larson, running by far his best race of the year.
Prediction: 4-7-10
