Racing this Wednesday sees a thrilling nine-race programme at Happy Valley Racecourse with a host of top quality racing on offer, the top bet and value bet, should be followed closely.
VALUE BET – LIGHTNING STEED
BEST BET – SPRINT FORWARD
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R
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T
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Conditions
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1st
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2nd
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3rd
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4th
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5th
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1
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12:35
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1650m – Class 5 Handicap
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13
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14
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8
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10
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9
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2
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13:15
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1200m – Class 4 Handicap
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2
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12
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3
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1
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7
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3
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13:45
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1200m – Class 4 Handicap
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3
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1
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2
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7
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5
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4
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14:15
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1200m – Class 5 Handicap
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8
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4
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11
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12
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7
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5
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14:45
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1000m – Class 4 Handicap
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1
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3
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4
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11
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8
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6
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15:15
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1650m – Class 4 Handicap
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9
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5
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7
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3
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2
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7
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15:45
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1200m – Class 3 Handicap
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5
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7
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4
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1
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11
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8
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16:15
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1000m – Class 3 Handicap
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6
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5
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4
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9
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3
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9
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16:45
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1800m – Class 3 Handicap
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12
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3
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1
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13
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8
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RACE 1
The New Zealand-bred BUNDLE OF ENERGY looks seriously difficult to oppose on form in the opener, even from his wide draw. He has finished runner-up in his last two starts and this brown gelding looks set to earn his first career victory. NITRO EXPRESS placed on this track last time out and if he can overcome his wide draw then he will be able to pose a threat to the top selection. KWAICHUNG BROTHERS got up to win by a nose last time out at Sha Tin and if repeating that type of effort then he could make it back-to-back triumphs this afternoon.
RACE 2
FEARLESS FIRE was only just pipped by a neck last time out over this c & d. Purton jumps in the saddle and he may be able to find that little bit extra to reach the winning post first. SHINING ON ran on from off the pace last time out and was only beaten just under two lengths at the wire. He looks like the obvious threat to the top selection. DAZZLING FEELING made some late headway on debut to finish midfield and will come on plenty with that experience under the belt. He has a wide draw to overcome but it is encouraging that Borges has kept faith in the ride.
RACE 3
SPRINT FORWARD narrowly failed last time out over this distance when he set the pace and was caught in the dying stages of the race by Bullish Brother. With Purton jumping in the saddle he can make amends this afternoon. XPONENTIAL has his third run after a rest and should find a swift return to form. He shoulders top weight in this contest but still looks to have a strong winning chance. HARMONY N HOME has shown some inconsistency in his form but if he can overcome his wide draw without using too much energy then he can run into the places.
RACE 4
KWAI CHUNG ELITE is coming along the right way and he has placed in his last three starts to date. He was only beaten two lengths by Great Son last time out at Sha Tin and the form of that effort looks strong enough for him to go very close in this contest. YEE CHEONG LUCKY backed up his favourite status last time out when a comfortable winner on the all-weather track. He will get a slight relief in the weights with apprentice Poon in the saddle and he looks capable of defeating the top selection. EXPONENTS is 4.5kgs better off with the second selection on his last run and that should be enough to bring him right into this Class 5 Handicap.
RACE 5
WE THE SOUTH jumps from an inside barrier and he wasn’t disgraced last time out when just over a length behind Jazz Steed on this track. He gets a 3kgs apprentice allowance in this contest which will definitely assist his cause. FORZA ANGEL was just ahead of the top selection in the run behind Jazz Steed but will have to meet the top selection on 3kgs worse terms this afternoon due to the apprentice claim. Still, it is encouraging that Teetan has kept faith in the ride. WINNER’S HEART is held by the top selection on his last run bit if repeating his penultimate when just pipped by a nose then he can run into the places of this contest.
RACE 6
The chestnut MURRAY’S PARTNERS got up to win by a head under this rider last time out. He shoulders 1.5kgs more this afternoon but he could make it back-to-back triumphs in this class. DIONYSUS COLLIN backed up his favourite status last time out when he got up to win by half a length on this track. He jumps from the pole position which should assist him getting closer when they turn for home. BLOOMING SPIRIT has faced stronger in his last two starts and if recapturing some of his prior form then he can run into the places of this contest.
RACE 7
CALIFORNIA GUNGHO impressed in his latest victory when he had to overcome the widest draw on that occasion. Callan retains the ride and the pair could adopt similar tactics in this contest. If he gets his own way in front then he will be difficult to peg back in the closing stages. WIND N GRASS has beaten by a fair sort in his last two starts (Good Luck Friend) and he looks fairly-handicapped in this contest with the 2.5kgs claiming apprentice aboard. LITTLE BIRD is back in Class 3 and he is better than his last start suggests. He jumps from an inside barrier and he can find a form return in a field of this nature.
RACE 8
ETERNAL HARVEST and DIAMOND BRILLIANT weren’t separated by much last time out and the pair look set to fight out the finish of this contest. The latter is 3kgs better off at the weights though and that may be enough to reverse the form with his recent conqueror. AEROZOOM is an unexposed Aussie-bred that has his first start in Hong Kong. He has won his last two starts in Australia and may be one worth keeping an eye on in this contest.
RACE 9
The Aussie-bred LIGHTNING STEED is in search of a hat-trick of wins in the lucky last race. He won his last start under Chadwick when defeating Lucky Missile by just over a length and he shoulders a handy galloping weight in this contest. BLASTOISE is much better than his last run suggests when he didn’t enjoy the slow tempo and he can find a form return with Teetan jumping in the saddle. GOLDEN SPECTRUM has placed in his last two starts and it is encouraging that Purton has kept faith in the ride.
