Horse Racing Tips: 9 who’ll grind it out at Happy Valley today

The Hong Kong track plays host to nine races early on Wedneday and the Racing Post have lined up their Asian racing watchers to pick the best bets in each

By / Horse Racing Tips / 4 years ago

11:45 – SELL MY SOLE

This looks a good opportunity for well-drawn 3yo SELL MY SOLE, who has considerable potential to build upon last month’s promising debut at Sha Tin. Harrier Jet got back in the groove with a convincing C&D success a fortnight ago and may provide the main threat. A breakthrough Hong Kong win continues to elude Travel Datuk but his recent efforts suggest he’ll be on the premises again.

12:15 – AUTHENTIC CHAMP

Joao Moreira’s mount This Is Charisma shaped as though his turn might be near when placed over C&D three weeks ago and is respected but perhaps it might be worth chancing AUTHENTIC CHAMP, who hasn’t raced officially since his encouraging 5f debut in early 2019 but proved his well-being with a pleasing effort in a recent trial. Bullish Brother has a good draw and is next on the list.

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12:45 – ORIENTAL ELITE

A few of these warrant consideration but top of the list is ORIENTAL ELITE, who can usually be relied upon to run his race. Paul O’Sullivan’s 6yo benefits from a handy 2lb drop in the weights today and will be a tough nut to crack if the first-time blinkers have any sort of positive effect. Lucky Quality looks very interesting on this first attempt at 1m and is feared most but good cases can also be made for Focus, King Dragon, Starlit Knight and Lucky Missile.

13:15 – DAILY BEAUTY

The most interesting runner is DAILY BEAUTY, who has generally been disappointing since his promising debut in December but finished with a strong late burst to go very close over 6f here three weeks ago and now moves back up to 1m. He gets the nod but All For St Paul’s will be a dangerous foe under 7lb claimer Alfred Chan if able to bounce back from a below-par effort this month. Total Power and Incanto Prepared are others to consider.

In this picture taken on March 31, 2016, workers repair pieces of upturned turf following a night horse race at the Hong Kong Jockey Club in the Happy Valley district of Hong Kong. Hong Kong has two racecourses, Happy Valley and Sha Tin, with meets on Wednesday and Sundays drawing hardcore enthusiasts glued to form guides, and casual visitors more interested in a cold beer than the horses. / AFP / Anthony WALLACE / To go with AFP story "HongKong-racing-economy, FEATURE" by Dennis Chong (Photo credit should read ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images)

13:45 – EVERBRAVE

We The South, Jazz Steed, EVERBRAVE and Wild West Wing filled the first four places (in that order) in a very similar C&D event three weeks ago and all have good claims again today. The pick is the third, Everbrave, who goes again from the same mark and has an excellent draw in stall 1 this time. Second choice is the fourth from that race, Wild West Wing, who was returning from a break that day and is also well-drawn today.

14:15 – CALIFORNIA TURBO

It’s easy to make a strong case for Sky Darci, who was a very convincing C&D winner a fortnight ago and remains lightly raced. However, he’s up in grade today and an alternative to consider is CALIFORNIA TURBO, who came from a poor position to finish fifth at Sha Tin on his latest outing and ought to enjoy an easier trip from stall 3 here. Czarson moves back up in trip after a fairly encouraging Hong Kong debut and may also feature.

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14:45 – SUNSHINE WARRIOR

A seriously trappy handicap featuring horses who are on the cusp of Group level, improving class jumpers and a dirt specialist who could be dangerous. Helena Baby is totally unexposed and the continued presence of Joao Moreira in the saddle suggests we haven’t seen the best of him yet. SUNSHINE WARRIOR steps up to Class 2 company for the first time is taken to claim the prize. He has been carrying big weights in a lower grade and will enjoy this challenge.

15:15 – RICH AND LUCKY

Shamport has won three-times this season (6f) and looks interesting stepping back up in trip with Joao Moreira booked. Methane remains unexposed and should find this trip much more to his liking than the 1m3f he tackled last time. However, it may pay to forgive RICH AND LUCKY a poor recent run and he is taken to get back to winning ways. He looked a decent prospect when comfortably winning a Class 4 C&D event in May and is given another chance.

15:50 – WINNING METHOD

It mght be best to focus on the reopposing pair Shining Ace and WINNING METHOD, with preference for the latter on these revised terms. Joao Moreira rode Shining Ace to victory over C&D last time but gets off to ride the selection who is 7lb better off for 1 1/2l. Racing Fighter gets in lightly with his 5lb handicap hike for his recent win offset by Victor Wong’s claim. Temple Of Heaven was a classy 2yo in Britain and would be interesting if getting a run.

BETS SUMMARY:

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