Lyle Hewitson and Helene Warrior are tipped to win the 8th race (Picture: HKJC)
Tim Carroll (At The Races)
Tim made it 5 wins from his last 6 best bets on Sunday, and our Hong Kong guru provides another trio for Happy Valley on Wednesday
This Wednesday sees a nine-race card from Happy Valley, which gets underway at 11.40am – live on Sky Sports Racing. The feature of the meeting is race 7, the Class 2 Tan Shan River Handicap, over 6 furlongs, offering prize-money of more than £284,000.
Now onto this week’s selections.
Race 1: Class 5 Nam Chung River Handicap (11.40am) (1 mile 3 furlongs)
4 ARTHURS KINGDOM, who won a 2yo maiden at Gowran Park in 2019 for Aiden O’Brien, has finally found some form in Hong Kong, which has coincided with a step up in trip & more aggressive tactics. The selection won over course & trip two back with no less than five of these behind, and although on worse terms here, he won easily that day. He was last seen when runner-up at Sha Tin, once again with a few of these in behind, and he looks the natural leader in a race offering no more than a modest gallop.
Dangers:
5 Go Go Go is a long-standing maiden that has been one spot behind the selection at his last two starts and is 1lb better off here than last time, and although a tad one paced, he’s only had two starts beyond nine furlongs and seems to enjoy going over a bit further.
1 Absolute Sunshine has struggled since arriving from Australia as a twice winner from four starts, but he drops into the bottom grade for the first time and with the 7lb claim, he could show up here.
10 Green Laser has just one win from thirty-four starts, but it did come over course & trip from a 2lb higher mark earlier in the season and from the foot of the handicap, he is worth including in any exotic type bets.
Race 2: Class 4 Ng Tung River Handicap (12.10pm) (6 furlongs)
3 ROARING BEBE is a thrice raced maiden that looks a work in progress, but he met with support last time when running with merit in defeat despite showing signs of greenness and if the first-time cheek-pieces have the desired effect, he should run well. The selection was slow out of the gates at his most recent start and had to be ridden along to grab a spot slightly worse than midfield, and was beaten less than two lengths despite the rider barely being able to go after him in the straight due to him hanging in. It’s difficult to say what left in the locker when they do that sort of thing, but he was still strong through then line despite not being fully tested and hopefully the added head gear will work the oracle.
Dangers:
1 The Perfect Match goes up 6lb having broken his duck over course & trip at just his third start last time, and although he had the run of the race and was all out to win, the first two were clear of the others and he is entitled to improve further.
5 Hayday, who has been placed two from two over course & distance won over this trip at Sha Tin two back and although well held in fourth at the same venue last time, he was in a photo for the minors and the winner looks well above average.
8 Hercules is a veteran that can be hard to catch, but he looks well placed with the 7lb claim for Ellis Wong.
Race 3: Class 4 Beas River Handicap (12.40pm) (1 mile)
2 RED MAJSETY has been a wonderful servant for connections and arrives having start fifty-seven as a 7yo and will be looking for his tenth win over course & trip. To be fair, he doesn’t win too often but he takes a drop in grade now and his record dating back to September 2021 at this level reads 1-3-1-5-2-1. You only need to go back to March the last time he won over course & trip, and he’s just 2lb higher in the handicap here. It’s worth noting that Hugh Bowman was on board Comet Splendido last time, who is the only last start winner in the race yet takes the ride on the selection.
Dangers:
3 Sixth Generation, who was unplaced last time, but that was on a yielding surface, had run well in defeat his previous two from the top of the handicap when runner-up in both, and he’s on 4lb better terms with Comet Splendido having finished in front of him when they last met.
1 Comet Splendido goes up 5lb having won over course & trip last time and although that was just his second win in two years, the last one was from a 9lb higher mark at a level above this.
12 Super Eagle ran above market expectations when fourth last time, which was his first go at this trip in over a year, and he drops a further 2lb in the handicap.
Race 4: Class 4 Ng Tung River Handicap (1.10pm) (6 furlongs)
2 LEAN MASTER was heavily supported when winning over course & trip last time, and there’s been some form come out of the race with the runner-up since placed at Sha Tin, and the fourth has subsequently won. He went from the front last time and with only one other pace runner here (One For All) he’s likely to either lead or grab the tail of his rival, with either scenario favourable. He does go up 6lb for his last win, but in what looks a shrewd move, connections have replaced a senior rider with 7lb claimer Ellis Wong, meaning he is now effectively slightly better off.
Dangers:
1 Denfield didn’t have the rub of the green when given plenty to do before finishing fifth last time on his first run at this level since winning over course & trip in October from a 2lb higher mark, and Hugh Bowman now takes over.
3 One For All, who is a speedy type, has had a couple of recent setbacks, but he was a thrice winner over course & trip last season and ran his best race form only a handful of starts this season last time, and drops a further 2lb.
12 Dan Attack has his limitations, but he did win over course & trip in February, he drops 2lb which sees him on his last winning mark, he goes from the foot of the handicap and the race maps favoruably from the low draw.
Race 5: Class 4 Pearce Memorial Challenge Cup (Handicap) (1.40pm) (1 mile)
5 CANT GO WONG is proving costly to follow with just the one win from twenty-three local starts, but he continues to run well in defeat and has strong collateral form with several here. The selection recorded his sole local success over course & trip in March and hasn’t been outside the top four in five subsequent starts which includes finishing second to I Can, who he meets on 2lb better terms having been a luckless beaten favourite when they last met. The selection is no leader, but he is versatile, the draw in 5 looks ideal and although he’s been finding it tough to get his head back in front, this looks a winnable contest.
Dangers:
2 Setanta won over course & trip last month before a below par effort on a yielding surface but bounced back to form last time finishing second beaten a lip, but he will need some luck as he’s a late closing type.
4 Atomic Beauty had no luck last time, a run best forgotten, and he recorded a win and two placed efforts over course & trip at his previous three starts, but they do like to ride him handy, and he’ll need to get across from the outside draw.
1 I Can goes from the top of the handicap and has drawn high, which won’t make things easy, but he’s only had the four runs over course & trip for a win and a couple of solid performances in defeat.
Race 6: Class 4 Ng Tung River Handicap (2.10pm) (6 furlongs)
5 PACKING HERMOD is a debutant from a yard that is currently only two winners behind the leader in the coveted trainers title this season, and the booking of Purton would suggest a forward showing is expected. Trials need to be treated with caution, and this fellow hasn’t won any of his, however, he has moved very nicely without being asked any questions in all of them. The betting will probably tell the story, and I would like to see some market support, but I suspect he’ll run well.
Dangers:
3 Scotch Tycoon has been good in defeat at his last two, he was runner-up when last seen over course & trip two back behind a well-supported rival that he was conceding 6lbs, and he should have all the favours close to the pace from the low draw.
2 Prime Mortar has had a light campaign this season, and although he bombed last time, that was on the dirt at Sha Tin and he did win very easily the start prior over course & trip, albeit from an 8lb lower mark.
11 Mr Good Vibes broke his duck at start eleven over this trip at Sha Tin last time and although he moves up in grade under a 6lb penalty, he does carry 13lb less at this level.
Race 7: Class 2 Shan River Handicap (2.45pm) (6 furlongs)
3 COPARTNER PRANCE has been progressing at a rate of knots recently and arrives having won five races on the bounce which has seen his rating shoot up 36lbs in just over three months. The Francis Lui 4yo was last seen winning at Sha Tin when having his first spin at this level, with some smart types in behind. His previous four wins had all be here at Happy Valley and although you could argue the handicapper will catch him at some point, he should have the run of the race from stall 3, and I think he go in again despite a 6lb penalty.
Dangers:
7 Copartner Ambition, who can be forgiven a below par effort last time having had a tough run and found to be lame post-race, is a four-time winner this season and although this would require a career best, he is likely to sit off what should be a strong gallop with a late shot.
1 Superb Capitalist arrives on a course & trip three-timer having won his last two in good style and he is well drawn given he’ll look to punch forward, but a 7lb penalty sees him at the top of the handicap in what is a very competitive sprint.
10 Reward Smile, who was just over two-lengths behind Superb Capitalist last time, but he was having just his second run this year after a setback, is on 7lb better terms with that rival, and is likely to be ridden cold from the high draw in a race offering a strong gallop.
Race 8: Class 3 Sha Tau Kok River Handicap (3.15pm) (1 mile)
5 HELENE WARRIOR, who was a twice winning juvenile for Michael Bell when known as Red Zone Hero, broke his local duck in good style at his fifth start when winning comfortably over course & trip last time. He did have a soft spin behind the leaders that night, but this race maps for similar, and he put the race to bed at the top of the straight last time, with margins between all the place getters. He does go up 8lb for the win, but it’s hard to argue with that, and my only ‘slight’ concern is that both his wins for Michael Bell were on soft going and he won on good-yielding last time, but if he repeats the dose, he’s the one they all have to beat.
Dangers:
2 Hameron has been given a bit to do at his last two starts and had no luck two back when not beaten far, but from the low draw they may be able to ride him a tad closer this time and there is a strong gallop on offer which will help ensure he’s afforded every opportunity.
1 Splendid Living goes from the top of the handicap, but he’s won four of his last eleven starts over course & trip, he takes a drop in grade and is perfectly drawn for a pace runner, but this will require a career best.
8 Beauty Infinity, who represents a high-end combination, bombed when having his first try over this trip last time, however, they rode him cold that night, which is not the normal tactics, and he took a keen hold, but there’s a stronger gallop on offer this time.
Race 9: Class 3 Shek Sheung River Handicap (3.50pm) (6 furlongs)
10 KYRUS DRAGON, who was a twice winner in Australia, is yet to break his local duck in nine starts, but he’s been knocking on the door and looks worth a play in a wide open and competitive Class 3. The selection had a few of these in behind when runner-up to Happy Fat Cat last time, who he meets on 4lb better terms, having come from near last at the top of the straight to only just miss. To be fair, they went a good gallop that night, but there’s a solid gallop on offer here which will help. Although I don’t know if he jumped or was pushed, Alexis Badel , who was on top in five of his last six starts, takes the ride on Ka Ying Cheer, but they don’t always get it right.
Dangers:
1 Kaholo Angel goes from the top of the handicap, but he hacked up here three back and lost very little in defeat his last two having rattled home both times after being snagged back from high draws, and whilst he’s no leader, he does now have a low draw.
9 Ka Ying Cheer hasn’t won since his debut at Sha Tin in October, but he has run well in defeat having hit the frame all three starts on the city track, and he’s perfectly drawn in 1 given they will look to punch forward.
2 Happy Fat Cat has won four times over course & trip this season including last time out when he had a few of these behind, but a 6lb penalty sees him on a career high mark.
BETTING ON HONG KONG RACING
Punters can bet into the Hong Kong pools online through Tote.co.uk
WEDNESDAY’S PLACEPOT
Today’s Tote Place Pot will be races 4 through to 9. All up we will be playing 81 combinations (1x3x3x3x1x3), which will cost £8.10 for a 10p stake and so on. Good luck.
LEG 1- 2 LEAN MASTER
LEG 2- 2 SETANTA 4 ATOMIC BEAUTY 5 CANT GO WONG
LEG 3- 2 PRIME MORTAR 3 SCOTCH TYCOON 5 PACKING HERMOD
LEG 3- 1 SUPERB CAPITALIST 3 COPARTNER PRANCE 7 COPARTNER AMBITION
LEG 5- 5 HELENE WARRIOR
LEG 6- 1 KAHOLO ANGEL 9 KA YING CHEER 10 KYRUS DRAGON
TIM’S BEST BETS
11.40am HAPPY VALLEY
ARTHURS KINGDOM (NAP)
1.10pm HAPPY VALLEY
LEAN MASTER (NB)
3.15pm HAPPY VALLEY
HELENE WARRIOR (NB2)
