Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing taking place at Happy Valley, Tampa Bay Downs and Will Rodgers Downs.
Other international racing tips for Wednesday:
Ascot
Warrnambool
Canterbury
Sunshine Coast
Happy Valley
Neil Morrice Tips
Happy Valley Best Bets
Race 1: No3 – MONKEY JEWELLERY
Trainer: John Size – Jockey: Joao Moreira
Moreira was in the plate for each of MONKEY JEWELLERY’s two career wins at Sha Tin as well as when guiding the six-year-old into third behind Compassion Spirit over this course and distance three weeks ago. That solid effort indicates the gelding is nearing another strike, and from his gate he has the invitation to lead. SUPER LUCKY, transformed by the equipping of blinkers, also has to be afforded respect after a win and three near-misses since the end of January, but he’s drawn gate 12. With Purton up, LORIZ will start shorter than he should, but it would be dangerous to leave him out.
Prediction: 3-1-2
Race 2: No3 – RICH AND LUCKY
Trainer: Chris Ho – Jockey: Zac Purton
Purton and RICH AND LUCKY connected three starts back and the gelded son of Kingman can transfer that Sha Tin form to the Valley. As a four-year-old with relatively few racing miles on the clock the selection has more scope for improvement than his foes and is well gated to get a run. ROYAL RACER has also drawn a favourable slot close to the fence and if leading under Moreira, could prove tough to peg back. DIONYSUS COLLIN’s fans are running short on belief, but the five-year-old races off a tempting mark, suggesting he’s going to be a factor.
Prediction: 3-11-10
Race 3: No4 – YEE CHEONG PEGUSUS
Trainer: Tony Millard – Jockey: Joao Moreira
Many will look upon YEE CHEONG PEGASUS as the banker of the night and it’s easy to see why. Having moved up the class ladder he’s consolidated, and appears just as effective here as at Sha Tin. On his return to the city track last month he only gave best in a close finish and with figures of 22122 since joining his trainer, has that ‘Swiss watch’ reliability. The lightly-raced GOOD SHOT failed to menace when well supported on debut only to show that was all wrong by popping up at 45-1 last month. Remaining in Class 4, he could back up that course and distance triumph if the favourite falters. BRIGHT KID enjoys the rail and could menace for new trainer Chris So, with Purton doing the navigating.
Prediction: 4-2-8
Race 4: No1 – METHANE
Trainer: David Ferraris – Jockey: Karis Teetan
Though giving away upwards of 9lb to his rivals METHANE can show with another win, that he’s ready for a step into Class 3. Since scoring under Lyle Hewitson in February he’s twice troubled the judge from just three attempts and gone down in a desperate finish in blinkers last time. EPTIWINS is a 12-race maiden but with Purton back on needs respecting from a plum draw. But he’s too unpredictable to have confidence in, leaving the value play as AFTER ME who, with Antoine Hamelin aboard, doesn’t need to improve too much on his latest effort to have a big say.
Prediction: 1-5-9
Race 5: No3 – THE RUNNER
Trainer: Doug Whyte – Jockey: Antoine Hamelin
From the inside gate, THE RUNNER can notch a first success in Hong Kong. He’s got plenty going for him to get that elusive monkey off his back, with man in form Hamelin doing the steering. Furthermore, he looked like a horse getting ready to win when a close second to Sky Treasure under the same jockey last time. MOMENTUM GALAXY needs to find something but that is entirely possible with Zac Purton in the irons for the first time. HAMONY N HOME is the joker in the pack. Scuppered by being drawn wide last time he now gets the rail on just a fifth career start.
Prediction: 3-2-1
Race 6: No3 – BE READY
Trainer: Frankie Lor – Jockey: Zac Purton
Key to this is Purton’s decision to get back on BE READY when he could have stuck with LARSON. The Lismorian was aboard today’s mount when beaten by Larson here a month back and had a feel of the latter only for the combination to be short-headed by Allied Agility two weeks ago. With little between the pair on the book the logic is to go with Be Ready, who is much better drawn and for whom there can be no excuses this time. From gate two, FLYING GENIUS will most likely try to make all. Karis Teetan has won on him in such circumstances, and will surely again be aggressive on the four-year-old.
Prediction: 3-2-8
Race 7: No7 – SUCH A HAPPINESS
Trainer: Tony Millard – Jockey: Karis Teetan
SUCH A HAPPINESS makes only a second visit to the Valley on a 25th career start but has it in him to take this out, after settling into his new yard with a couple of earning runs last month. The seven-year-old has also responded positively to the addition of blinkers, and enjoying the rub of the green from a handy position, could bolster his trainer’s fine record with stable transfers. Standing in his way on top of the weights is SUNSHINE WARRIOR, chasing a hat-trick under 133lb but having been most impressive in both winning runs. One that could upset the applecart at huge odds is CHARIZARD, who has upped his game in two out of three visits here.
Prediction: 7-1-4
Race 8: No2 – GOLDEN DASH
Trainer: Danny Shum – Jockey: Matthew Poon
GOLDEN DASH is pound for pound the best horse in the race but key to success today is whether he can overcome a hazardous draw on the outer. The selection came off a 322-day break to run Beauty Amigo to a length and a half and has the wherewithal to realise the potential of his earlier career when winning three of his nine starts and looking a horse with a bright future. Off a mark of 73, ISLAND SHINE should be competitive in attempting back-to-back wins and from the rail he may well enjoy the run of the race. CALIFORNIA RAD beat Super Lucky last month and we should get a sighter onto his chance when the latter contests Race 1.
Prediction: 2-3-9
Race 9: No8 – ENRICHMENT
Trainer: John Size – Jockey: Joao Moreira
In a wide-open nightcap, ENRICHMENT is given another chance to unlock a frustrating run of seconditis. Confidence in Moreira’s mount would have been higher if he’d drawn inside, but he’s going to win soon and Moreira was the man in the plate when the gelding broke his duck back in February of last year. Furthermore, he appeared to enjoy a return to the Valley when beaten in a head bob by DANCES WITH DRAGON. The latter is worse off at the weights but needs careful consideration for what would be a third triumph in his last four starts. At longer odds, HAPPY DRAGON is considered, back in his comfort zone.
Prediction: 8-1-6
Tampa Bay Downs Best Bets
Race 4 (Allowance Optional Claiming): No3 – HOPEFUL GROWTH
Trainer: Anthony Margotta – Jockey: Antonio Gallardo
HOPEFUL GROWTH impressed when scoring on debut at Monmouth last, almost a year ago, buckling down well to see off the challenge of Good Shabbos. Returning from a break of just short of 300 days, the daughter of Tapiture ran second over six furlongs (and at the same level) at Gulfstream in late March to show she has trained on. Granted normal progression from that first run back, and over a slightly longer trip, she should have too much for her foes. There are four other past winners in the field, of whom Bridge Dancer is the obvious threat, as she converted here and at a similar level.
Prediction: 3-2-5
Race 5 (Allowance): No7 – FASHION’S STAR
Trainer: Shug McGaughey – Jockey: Antonio Gallardo
This trainer/jockey combo served us well last week and in FASHION’S STAR McGaughey could have a filly he can aim higher with. The daughter of Sea The Stars began her career in Britain with a cosy debut success for Roger Charlton at Newbury in the late summer of 2018. She then wasn’t seen until last spring, exactly a year ago, when beaten 13 lengths by Muchly when clearly in need of the race. Owner Andrew Rosen has, in persevering with the now four-year-old, shown faith in her ability to rediscover that early potential, and she’s been giving off the right signals in her work.
A pea out of the same pod is Flighty Almighty, also having her first outing in the US after shipping from England where she was highly tried under the tutelage of Tom Dascombe. She should find this more within her comfort zone.
Prediction: 7-8-1
Race 8 (Maiden Special Weight): No8 – U S ARMY CORPS
Trainer: Shug McGaughey – Jockey: Antonio Gallardo
U S ARMY CORPS can be another for the McGaughey team that is operating at a more than 62% strike-rate these past couple of weeks. The War Front colt showed promise in three starts in New York and was coming off a 153-day lay off when chasing home Channel Stuffer on his first run at this track over the same mile last month. It was a most encouraging effort that gives him a decisive looking form edge. Given the high strike-rate, Chad Brown is afforded with his first-timers Juror must be watched in the betting market. The son of Tapit has done plenty to recommend him in his prep and even from a shaky post could provide a threat in the Juddmonte colours.
Prediction: 8-11-4
Will Rogers Downs Best Bets
Race 1 (Claiming): No9 – MAUI JANE
Trainer: Ken Nolen – Jockey: Floyd Wethey Jr
While it’s been all of a year since we last saw MAUI JANE, the five-year-old should hold the cards if ready from that protracted absence. The one-time winner took home a cheque in three of her four starts last year, as well as showing an aptitude for this course. She just gets the vote over Whimsical Tale who was busy here last month and showed with a recent near-miss she’s on the cusp of a breakthrough. Kottoncandy Kisses was undone by the sloppy track when a well supported favourite on her latest start and can feature here.
Prediction: 9-7-3
Race 3 (Allowance): No8 – KEENA
Trainer: Francisco Bravo – Jockey: Ry Eikleberry
The wonderfully consistent KEENA has been a regular earner on the sprint track at Will Rogers including on both outings this year. On a percentage basis, she is almost certain to run to that level of form again and looks a safer proposition than any of her seven foes. That said, Tickle Bunny deserves respect after a pleasing first run for Scott Young at the end of March, when sporting first-time blinkers. It begs to be improved upon as she tackles an allowance for the first time. Foreign Creation should also go into the mix after placing in an allowance here last month when unconsidered in the market.
Prediction: 8-5-4
Race 9 (Handicap): No3 – LAWTON
Trainer: Karl Broberg – Jockey: David Cabrera
The form LAWTON showed in placing in an allowance sprint and an allowance optional claimer at Keeneland make the gelding of serious interest on first start for the hot Broberg barn. The five-times winner rarely fails to earn in some fashion and will prove hard to beat even though taking on in form foes such as Oil Money, a winner here when last seen, and Shred The Rules who steps up a notch after taking out one of these at the end of March.
Prediction: 3-4-6
