3 minute read

Selections and analysis for Wednesday’s (22 June) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley.

Race 1: #7 Run The Table, #9 Zacian, #10 Oh Bravo, #3 Go For Tea
Race 2: #1 Ares, #11 Vector, #3 Dassit, #5 Sicomoro
Race 3: #1 Circuit Seven, #2 Blustitch, #8 Yellowfin, #5 See U Again
Race 4: #5 Dream Boss, #6 Ever Force, #8 Hercules, #9 Perfect Peach
Race 5: #7 Regency Master, #1 Fearless Fire, #5 Blissful Star, #11 Super Hornet
Race 6: #5 Mega Bonus, #2 Above All, #1 Exuberant, #7 Winning Icey
Race 7: #6 Nicconi County, #3 Flying Season, #2 Atullibigeal, #5 Like That
Race 8: #3 Crossford, #1 Packing Award, #7 World Famous, #5 Gift Of Lifeline
Race 9: #12 Family Folks, #5 Lucky Sweynesse, #2 Voyage Warrior, #1 Keep You Warm

Race 1: Cochrane Handicap

#7 Run The Table does his best racing in this grade. Expect he bounces to his best here for Zac Purton and Francis Lui, especially as he steps away from gate two. #9 Zacian has been around the mark a lot without winning. He gets his opportunity once more and only needs a few favours throughout to suggest he can be a winning chance. #10 Oh Bravo catches the eye with Joao Moreira hopping up. Don't discount his chances here. #3 Go For Tea is a threat from gate three. Keep safe.

Race 2: Elgin Handicap

#1 Ares has the class edge. He drastically turned his form around last start in this grade and with Zac Purton going up now, he's expected to do similar again. He's the one to beat. #11 Vector raced without luck in the straight last start but still managed to finish off very well. He's taken time to find his feet but is making good progress now. #3 Dassit gets his opportunity here. He's an improving type who is closing in on a first win. #5 Sicomoro caught the eye when third last out. Gate one ensures his chance. Next best.

Race 3: The Hong Kong Young Industrialists Council 30th Anniversary Cup Handicap

#1 Circuit Seven should find the front and run this group along. He's racked up two wins by doing exactly that this season and a third here would not surprise, especially as Alfred Chan takes a crucial five pounds off his back. #2 Blustitch can improve again at his second start. He'll get better with racing. #8 Yellowfin turned his form around to finish second last start. He too can continue an upward trajectory. #5 See U Again is racing well and is getting ever so close to a first win in town. Next best.

Race 4: Gage Handicap (1st Section)

#5 Dream Boss couldn't muster on debut but did put in a sparkling trial recently. Expect he can bounce to his best here with Joao Moreira sticking aboard. #6 Ever Force is nothing short of consistent. He's racing well and did catch the eye with a solid effort for third last start. #8 Hercules gets the favourable booking of Zac Purton who, on Sunday, collected a four-timer at Sha Tin. #9 Perfect Peach draws well and has shown plenty of early toe. Next best.

Race 5: Graham Handicap

#7 Regency Master did well from an impossible position at the tail of the field last start. He closed off with plenty of merit and any improvement favours him here. Even if he takes up closer order he can win this one. #1 Fearless Fire does his best racing in this grade. He's in superb form and his consistency could well be rewarded with a win here. #5 Blissful Star is looking to snap a run of consecutive placings. He gets Zac Purton's services in his bid for a first win. #11 Super Hornet is on the up. Don't discount.

Race 6: Gage Handicap (2nd Section)

#5 Mega Bonus draws well and rates as a chance to bounce back from failure last start. He's better than that and the inside gate gives him his chance to position up front without using up too much energy. #2 Above All is after a hat-trick of wins. He remains in Class 4 which suits and is expected to get his chance once more. #1 Exuberant narrowly missed last start. He can make amends for that effort with another strong showing. #7 Winning Icey only needs to offset the sticky draw. Don't discount.

Race 7: Lyndhurst Handicap

#6 Nicconi County closed off very, very well last start. Expect he can take another step forward with his development here and with a clean run he shapes as the one they all have to beat. #3 Flying Season has a stack of class and his rise is far from over. Zac Purton's booking bears close watching. #2 Atullibigeal has hit the ground running in Hong Kong. He's on the improve with each and every start. #5 Like That should remove luck from the equation by rolling forward to lead. He gets his chance.

Race 8: Shelley Handicap

#3 Crossford is ever so close to another win in Hong Kong. He's incredibly consistent and Karis Teetan's booking looks suitable here, especially from gate five. #1 Packing Award has a stack of ability and he's searching for a fourth win this season. Expect another in-form performance. #7 World Famous is racing well as a winner two starts ago. Strong booking of Zac Purton ensures his chance again. #5 Gift Of Lifeline is finding his mark. He's a threat once more.

Race 9: Staunton Handicap

#12 Family Folks has been competitive in this grade before and it wouldn't surprise to see him do so again. The light weight suits, especially in the form of Karis Teetan from gate three. #5 Lucky Sweynesse is very, very gifted as a four-time winner from five runs already. He commands respect again. #2 Voyage Warrior has tumbled down the ratings and is closing in on an overdue success for trainer Ricky Yiu. #1 Keep You Warm is after back-to-back wins. He was impressive last start.