Racing this Wednesday sees an action-packed card that includes the running of eight competitive Handicaps with six of them on the All-Weather Track. The best bet, value bet and bi-pot must be followed closely.
VALUE BET – MAN STAR ridden by K. Teetan
BEST BET – WINNER METHOD ridden by Z. Purton
Bi-pot: 5,12/1,7,6/1,3/4,6/1,4/1,7.
13:15 Race 1 – Class 5 Handicap 1200m (All Weather Track)
Selections: 12/5/4
KA YING BRILLIANCE was cramped for galloping room between the 400-200m mark last time and the manner in which he finished the race off was encouraging. He comes in at the bottom of the weights and with Moreira aboard, should be one of the leading contenders. JADE THEATRE finished runner-up last time and from his inside draw will be looking to go one better. VALIANT ELEGANCE has placed in his last two starts and looks fairly-handicapped. He dictated terms well in his penultimate under this apprentice and may be difficult to peg back in the closing stages.
13:45 Race 2 – Class 5 Handicap 1800m (All Weather Track)
Selections: 1/7/6
DRAGON COMMANDER followed up his recent win with a decent effort despite racing three-wide without cover. He shoulders top weight but with better luck in running, should give another good account of himself. FAIRLY FLOSS was cramped for galloping room at the 400m mark last time and probably should have finished closer as a result. He won his penultimate under Purton and it is nice to see the pair reunited. APOLAR WARRIOR placed last time at Happy Valley and if transferring that form onto the All-Weather Track, can run into the money.
14:15 Race 3 – Class 3 Handicap 1000m
Selections: 1/3/4
WINNER METHOD is unbeaten from three starts and is the best bet on the card. He reeled off the hat-trick in fine style which suggests there is plenty more to come from this individual. He is likely to settle just off the pace and will be looking to keep his unbeaten record intact. METRO WARRIOR cutthroats upfront last time and was only outrun in the final furlong. He may opt to dictate matters and will be hoping to keep the top selection at bay.
14:45 Race 4 – Class 4 Handicap 1200m (All Weather Track)
Selections: 6/4/2
HAPPY TANGO dictated terms well last time when rallying back to earn a creditable win on this surface. He is well-drawn and will be looking to make it quick back-to-back wins. DIVINE ERA is much better than his last start suggests. He had an awkward start on that occasion and after being crowded for room at the 200m mark, didn’t go on with the effort. He finished positively in his two prior starts and is a horse with plenty of scope for improvement. STRIKING MR C showed signs of a form return last time. The only concern is that he bled on that occasion and if over those issues, can run into the money.
15:15 Race 5 – Class 4 Handicap 1200m (All Weather Track)
Selections: 4/1/5
HANDSOME REBEL finished well on this surface last time and gets Moreira in the saddle, who may be able to coax extra out of this individual. MAGIC SUPREME won impressively last time and despite coming in at the top of the weights, can make it back-to-back wins. GALLANT LEGACY followed up his recent win with a decent effort despite receiving a bump at the start. If overcoming his wide draw, he can pose a threat to the top selection.
15:45 Race 6 – Class 4 Handicap 1650m (All Weather Track)
Selections: 7/1/4
GOLD COMET finished strongly in his last outing on this surface. He is drawn best of all and with Moreira in the saddle, he should take a power of beating. HANG’S DECISION was given a peach of a ride to win last time on this surface. The veteran nine-year-old shoulders top weight but should make his presence felt in this line-up. LADY FIRST has been a model of consistency. He has entered the frame in his last five starts and should give another good account of himself.
16:15 Race 7 – Class 3 Handicap 1400m
Selections: 9/1/11
SUPER WINNER and Moreira are in search of a hat-trick of wins. He has dictated terms impressively recently and showed that he is a gutsy frontrunner. If allowed a tender lead, he may be difficult to peg back in the latter stages. SPEND is still relatively unexposed and showed potential last time despite racing three-wide and finding no gap at the 400m. He is still on the upgrade and could upset the top selection. EVERYONE’S DELIGHT rises in class but he won his last start well. He cast a shoe on that occasion which makes the run more encouraging.
16:50 Race 8 – Class 3 Handicap 1200m (All Weather Track)
Selections: 5/2/10
MAN STAR won nicely on this surface in February from an inside draw. He is drawn pole this time around and on current form definitely represents decent each-way value for Hong Kong racing pundits. CALIFORNIA CONCORD has found one better in his last two starts. It is interesting that Moreira has opted to ride him over SKY SHOW, and the Cruz-trained inmate must be respected.
