Winning Form share all of their best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Happy Valley on 18 May 2022,
VALUE BET – HERCULES (Race 5) ridden by K. Teetan
BEST BET – EASON (Race 9) ridden by C. Ho
12:45 – Race 1 | Class 5 Handicap | 1650m
Selections: 6/10/5
DAILY BEAUTY has been narrowly beaten in his last two outings. He was only beaten half a length by Vukan at Sha Tin last time and merits healthy respect in this opening contest. SMILING FACE was beaten just under two lengths on the All-weather course last time. He comes in with a light weight and could be one to cause an upset.
13:15 – Race 2 | Class 4 Handicap | 1650m
Selections: 4/5/1
WIN WIN FIGHTER has placed in his last two outings. He was beaten just under a length by World Famous last time and will just need to overcome the wide draw to have a say. E LEGEND won well over this C&D last time. He looks nicely handicapped again and can make it quick back-to-back wins.
13:45 – Race 3 | Class 4 Handicap | 1800m
Selections: 4/3/9
REACH GOAL surprised last time with an eye-catching run from the rear of the field when beaten a length by Copartner Era over a mile on this course. He is still lightly raced and from his neat draw should give a good account of himself. STIMULATION was beaten just under two lengths by Wonder Years in his comeback run over further. He will strip much fitter and is the ride of South African jockey L. Ferraris.
14:15 – Race 4 | Class 4 Handicap | 1200m
Selections: 6/1/10
HAPPY TRIO was beaten just over a length by Cheval Valiant last time over the minimum trip. He should enjoy the step up in distance and represents the in-form Whyte-yard. HAPPY SHARING comes in at the top of the weights which is a slight concern but he was only beaten by 1.4 lengths over this C&D last time and should be one of the leading contenders.
14:45 – Race 5 | Class 4 Handicap | 1200m
Selections: 5/6/7
HERCULES has placed in his last three outings under K. Teetan. He was only beaten by half a length over this C&D last time, represents decent each-way value and may be rewarded for consistency. DURHAM STAR followed up his recent win well when just half a length behind the top selection. The pair meet on similar weight terms and there shouldn’t be too much separating them when they hit the line.
15:15 – Race 6 | Class 3 Handicap | 1200m
Selections: 2/9/7
FAMILY FOLKS was narrowly beaten by Seizing The Moment last time over this C&D. 3 of his 4 career victories have come on this course and French-ace A. Hamelin will give him all the necessary assistance from the saddle. FLAMING PASSION has placed in his last four outings. He has cracked pole, shoulders a light weight and can give the top selection a run for his money.
15:45 – Race 7 | Class 3 Handicap | 1200m
Selections: 5/10/8
SMART IDEA is in search of a hat-trick of wins. He was given a peach of a ride to defeat STORMTROUPER last time and is only 1.5kgs worse off at the weights. SKY FOREVER was pipped at the wire in his last start over this C&D. He is still a one-time winner which is a concern but has the ability to run into the money.
16:15 – Race 8 | Class 3 Handicap | 1650m
Selections: 4/7/9
PACKING AWARD almost reeled off the hat-trick last time when narrowly beaten by Gorytus over this C&D. He still may be ahead of the handicapper at this stage of his career and can return to winning ways. VIVA HUNTER finished 1.3 lengths behind the top selection in his penultimate start. He is 1.5kgs better off at the weights and should finish closer as a result.
16:50 – Race 9 | Class 2 Handicap | 1200m
Selections: 11/7/3
EASON makes the step up to Class 2 for the first time and is a serious talent on the rise. He has won his last two starts on this course, shoulders a light weight and the hat-trick is definitely on the cards. LUCKY WITH YOU won his last start well and is already proven in this division. He is likely to race on the speed and from his neat draw should make his presence felt in the lucky last!
