Racing Tips

Happy Valley Racing Tips: Wednesday, April 28th

Hong Kong racing heads to the city circuit for nine races on Wednesday evening and Tim Geers has provided his preview and tips below.

by
Tim Geers
27 April 2021

Hong Kong racing heads to the city circuit at Happy Valley for nine races on Wednesday evening and Tim Geers has provided his preview and tips below.

Racing will be on the C+3 course tonight, which is the widest rail position at the track and inside barriers are typically favoured.

The first race is set to jump at 6.45pm local time, with our best bet coming in the very last race at 10.50pm.

We’ll be betting into Race 1, Race 3, Race 5, Race 7 and Race 9.

Best Bet: Race 9 – (4) Brilliant Fortune

Best Value: Race 5 – (1) Piano Solo & (7) Fa Fa

Race 1

Lyttelton Hcp (C5) (1650m)
8:45pm (AEDT)

Race 1 Lyttelton Hcp (C5) (1650m) 8:45pm (AEDT)
1. Smart Cousin (3) J: J Moreira (60.5kg) T: C H Yip	6	6	5	5.5	5.3
2. Speed To Exceed (7) J: A Badel (60kg) T: Richard Gibson	9.5	10	9.5	10	9.3
3. Shanghai Grace (10) J: M F Poon (59kg) T: Y S Tsui	6.5	6	6.5	6.5	6.1
4. Diamond Star (11) J: V Borges (58kg) T: J J Size	20	20	21	21	19
5. Wonder Express (1) J: C Y Ho (58kg) T: K H Ting	11	11	11	11	10.4
6. Apolar Warrior (5) J: H Bentley (57kg) T: P Yiu	8.5	9	9.5	9.5	8.5
7. Brave Power (8) J: M Chadwick (56.5kg) T: A S Cruz	51	51	51	51	47
8. Laos Enlightenment (12) J: K C Leung (56.5kg) T: L Ho	51	51	41	41	41
9. Red Majesty (6) J: Z Purton (56kg) T: D A Hayes	5	5.5	5	5	4.85
10. Even Keel (2) J: K Teetan (55.5kg) T: A T Millard	6	6.5	7	7	6.5
11. Blazing Partners (4) J: R Maia (52kg) T: D Ferraris	7.5	7	7.5	7.5	7.1
12. Keep Winning (9) J: M L Yeung (51.5kg) T: C W Chang	26	26	21	21	22.5

Odds Last Updated: April 28, 2021, 8:47pm (AEDT)

Interesting to see Joao Moreira booked on (1) Smart Cousin here for trainer Dennis Yip. He drops back into Clas 5 tonight after five runs in Class 4. His last victry came in this class over a similar distance here at Happy Vallye, where he started from barrier 12 and carried a similar weight to what he does tonight. Drawn well in barrier 3, he looks a great chance back in grade with Moreira up. $6.00 is a good price.

I’ll also be on Purton’ mount (9) Red Majesty. Zac rode this horse last week and it was little surprise to see him improve markedly. He comes into tonight on the quick back-up and Purton elects to stick with him. Jumps sharply from 1200m to 1600m which is a slight query but on last week’s effort he sould be hard to beat.

Happy to back both at $6.00 and $4.40 respectively.

(11) Blazing Partners doesn’t win out of turn but can be competitive from a low draw with no weight. It’s been three years since he raced at Happy Valley and he should find this easier than Sha Tin.

Tip: (1) Smart Cousin $6.00 Bet365

Also Backing: (9) Red Majesty $4.40 TopSport

Betting Strategy: 0.75 units WIN Red Majesty, 0.5 units WIN Smart Cousin

Race 2

Conduit Hcp (C4) (1200m)
9:15pm (AEDT)

Race 2 Conduit Hcp (C4) (1200m) 9:15pm (AEDT)
1. Family Folks (6) J: A Hamelin (60.5kg) T: C W Chang	3.9	3.9	3.7	3.8	3.75
2. Telecom Smart (4) J: K Teetan (58.5kg) T: Y S Tsui	4.2	4	4	4	3.9
3. Noir Rider (2) J: R Maia (58kg) T: T P Yung	8.5	9	12	12	9.6
4. Amazement (12) J: A Badel (57kg) T: J J Size	10	9.5	8	7.5	9.2
5. Blissful Star (3) J: Z Purton (57kg) T: K H Ting	8.5	7.5	6.5	6.5	7.7
6. Universal Go Go (10) J: J Moreira (56kg) T: K W Lui	7	7.5	6.5	7	6.9
7. Coby Oppa (11) J: T Piccone (56kg) T: W Y So	81	81	71	71	69
8. Street Scream (8) J: H Bentley (56kg) T: D J Hall	17	16	17	17	15.4
9. Super Flames (7) J: M F Poon (56kg) T: L Ho	151	126	151	151	111
10. Mudita (1) J: C Schofield (55.5kg) T: P D O'sullivan	5	5	5.5	5.5	4.95
11. The Elites (5) J: C Y Ho (54kg) T: F C Lor	91	81	71	71	73
12. California Legend (9) J: M L Yeung (52kg) T: A S Cruz	41	26	26	26	27.5

Odds Last Updated: April 28, 2021, 9:17pm (AEDT)

Race 3

Kotewall Hcp (C4) (2200m)
9:45pm (AEDT)

Race 3 Kotewall Hcp (C4) (2200m) 9:45pm (AEDT)
1. Clement Legend (3) J: K Teetan (60.5kg) T: C S Shum	8	8	8	8	7.9
2. Play Wise (8) J: M F Poon (58kg) T: C H Yip	9	8	7.5	7.5	7.9
3. Wind Glider (12) J: K C Leung (57kg) T: P D O'sullivan	17	16	17	17	16
4. Kungfumaster Panda (11) J: A Hamelin (56kg) T: P D O'sullivan	18	18	19	19	18
5. Dionysus Collin (4) J: C Y Ho (56kg) T: K W Lui	14	13	13	13	12.8
6. Bright Vision (6) J: A Badel (55.5kg) T: P Yiu	5	5	5	5	4.95
7. Donc Je Suis (1) J: Z Purton (55.5kg) T: D A Hayes	3.3	3.4	3.3	3.3	3.3
8. Magnetism (9) J: V Borges (53kg) T: D Ferraris	31	26	21	21	25
9. Nuremberg (10) J: M Chadwick (52.5kg) T: A S Cruz	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.3
10. Perfect To Play (7) J: J Moreira (52.5kg) T: C Fownes	11	10	9	9	9.8
11. Lucky Missile (5) J: H N Wong (51.5kg) T: D J Hall	34	41	41	41	40
12. Bullish Glory (2) J: M L Yeung (51.5kg) T: C W Chang	41	41	51	51	41

Odds Last Updated: April 28, 2021, 9:47pm (AEDT)

I really think (7) Donc Je Suis gets his chance to win tonight. He’s been around the mark in most of his starts and he gets a perfect set up tonight. Barrier 1 over the 2200m with the rail in the C+3 position can be a godsend, especially with Purton retaining the ride. He had to go all the way back from the wide gate at Sha Tin last start, but from the inside gate tonight he can position much closer to the speed and get all the favours. There’s been four horses start from barrier 1 over this distance on the C+3 course this season, and the furthest back they’ve finished has been 4th. I never really bet each way at these prices, but with $3.90/$1.80 available, I can make an exception tonight.

(1) Clement Legend is a track and distance specialist and drops back into Class 4 tonight. He won last time he was in this class, and he then went on to win twice more in Class 3, so he’s more than capable. Draws well and really should be very competitive.

Always wary when Moreira and Fownes team up, so watch (10) Perfect To Play at odds.

Tip: (7) Donc Je Suis $3.90/$1.80 Bet365

Betting Strategy: 1 unit E/W Donc Je Suis

Race 4

Lyttelton Hcp (C5) (1650m)
10:15pm (AEDT)

Race 4 Lyttelton Hcp (C5) (1650m) 10:15pm (AEDT)
1. Manna From Heaven (3) J: C Schofield (60.5kg) T: K L Man	4.8	4.8	5	5	4.7
2. Swot Troopers Wind (6) J: K C Leung (60kg) T: D J Hall	6.5	6.5	7	7	6.3
3. Tailor Made (7) J: C Y Ho (60kg) T: C Fownes	6.5	6	6	6	6
4. Ka Fortune (8) J: R Maia (59.5kg) T: P D O'sullivan	31	31	34	34	29.5
5. President Star (5) J: Z Purton (59kg) T: C S Shum	6.5	6	5.5	5.5	5.7
6. Regency Gem (2) J: K Teetan (58.5kg) T: W Y So	4.8	5	5	5	4.85
7. Virtus Star (4) J: A Badel (58.5kg) T: F C Lor	10	10	11	11	9.8
8. African Sky (11) J: M Chadwick (58kg) T: T P Yung	201	201	201	201	171
9. Speed Force (10) J: H Bentley (57.5kg) T: D Whyte	17	16	16	16	15.8
10. Centenary Ibis (1) J: A Hamelin (57kg) T: A T Millard	41	34	34	34	34
11. Nitro Express (9) J: J Moreira (56.5kg) T: D Ferraris	6.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.4
12. Enjoyable Success (12) J: Alex Lai (54kg) T: Y S Tsui	31	26	21	21	25.5

Odds Last Updated: April 28, 2021, 10:17pm (AEDT)

Race 5

Hatton Hcp (C4) (1650m)
10:45pm (AEDT)

Race 5 Hatton Hcp (C4) (1650m) 10:45pm (AEDT)
1. Piano Solo (1) J: Z Purton (60.5kg) T: C S Shum	6	6	6	6	5.7
2. Toycoon (3) J: M Chadwick (59kg) T: P Yiu	6.5	6	5.5	5.5	5.7
3. Chater Pins (8) J: A Badel (58.5kg) T: D A Hayes	8.5	9	8.5	8.5	7.9
4. Nunchuks (9) J: A K Chan (58.5kg) T: C Fownes	20	19	18	18	18
5. King Dragon (2) J: K C Leung (57.5kg) T: K L Man	9.5	9	9	9	8.4
6. Divine Unicorn (5) J: K Teetan (55.5kg) T: W Y So	5	5.5	4.8	4.8	4.95
7. Fa Fa (6) J: C Y Ho (55.5kg) T: F C Lor	10	10	9.5	9.5	9.4
8. Pearl Champion (12) J: J Moreira (54.5kg) T: C H Yip	7	6.5	4.8	5	5.8
9. Shadow Breaker (4) J: C Schofield (54kg) T: K H Ting	8	8.5	9.5	9.5	8.2
10. Thunder Stomp (7) J: M F Poon (53.5kg) T: Y S Tsui	13	11	11	11	10.2
11. Dazzling Feeling (11) J: V Borges (52.5kg) T: D Ferraris	91	91	81	81	75
12. Grand Power (10) J: H T Mo (52kg) T: C W Chang	201	201	201	201	181

Odds Last Updated: April 28, 2021, 10:47pm (AEDT)

(1) Piano Solo gets my favourite Hong Kong set up tonight with Zac Purton jumping on for the first time as he drops in class, and he gets the added bonus of barrier 1, which is a big advantage over 1650m on the C+3 course. He’s been batting around in Class 3 but drops to Class 4 for the first time tonight, gets the huge jockey change and the good draw. Looks a terrific set up and $5.50 looks a great price.

(7) Fa Fa comes to Happy Valley for the first time in his career. He improved last start to finish midfield and ran the second-fastest final 400m in the process. It wouldn’t shock if he were to improve again at double figure odds.

The other thing that caught my eye in this race was Joao Moreira booked on (8) Pearl Champion for his stable debut for Dennis Yip. His form is hardly anything to get excited by and he’s drawn out in barrier 12 but it’s a notable booking noentheless.

(2) Toycoon copped a very strange steer from the inside gate last start and must be respected with a good draw tonight.

Tip: (1) Piano Solo $5.50 TopSport

Value: (7) Fa Fa $13 Bet365

Betting Strategy: 1 unit WIN Piano Solo, 0.5 units WIN Fa Fa

Race 6

Bonham Hcp (C3) (1200m)
11:15pm (AEDT)

Race 6 Bonham Hcp (C3) (1200m) 11:15pm (AEDT)
1. Sparkling Dragon (8) J: A Hamelin (60.5kg) T: A T Millard	8.5	8.5	10	10	8.6
2. Beauty Rush (7) J: Z Purton (60kg) T: J J Size	4.6	5	5	5	4.85
3. Snap Fit (9) J: A K Chan (60kg) T: C Fownes	7	10	9	9	8.7
4. California Concord (1) J: J Moreira (59.5kg) T: A S Cruz	3.6	3.6	3.7	3.7	3.5
5. Lincoln Bright (5) J: K C Leung (58.5kg) T: Richard Gibson
6. Triple Triple (4) J: M F Poon (56.5kg) T: F C Lor	4.6	4.8	4.6	4.6	4.6
7. Stoicism (6) J: H Bentley (55kg) T: D Ferraris	17	16	14	13	15.2
8. King's Capital (3) J: M L Yeung (54.5kg) T: D A Hayes	9.5	9.5	9.5	10	9.3
9. Mehboob (2) J: M Chadwick (53.5kg) T: P D O'sullivan	16	16	18	18	15.8
10. Jazz Steed (10) J: K Teetan (53kg) T: C Fownes	7	7	7.5	7.5	6.9

Odds Last Updated: April 28, 2021, 11:17pm (AEDT)

Race 7

Conduit Hcp (C4) (1200m)
11:45pm (AEDT)

Race 7 Conduit Hcp (C4) (1200m) 11:45pm (AEDT)
1. Ares (1) J: M F Poon (60.5kg) T: F C Lor	6	6	6	6	6
2. Jolly Good Heart (9) J: K Teetan (59.5kg) T: T P Yung	9.5	10	12	12	10
3. Ever Joy (7) J: Z Purton (56.5kg) T: P D O'sullivan	11	10	9	9.5	9.4
4. Xponential (8) J: B Shinn (56kg) T: D Whyte	10	16	18	17	16.6
5. Chikorita (5) J: A Hamelin (56kg) T: C W Chang	9.5	10	10	10	9.8
6. Star Of Wuyi (11) J: J Moreira (56kg) T: K W Lui	3.8	3.7	3.6	3.6	3.65
7. Good Buddy (10) J: A Badel (55kg) T: D J Hall	19	18	19	19	17.2
8. Hero Star (6) J: K C Leung (55kg) T: K L Man	12	11	9.5	10	10.8
9. Sight Hero (3) J: C Schofield (55kg) T: D A Hayes	6.5	6	6	6	5.9
10. Silvery Warrior (12) J: H Bentley (54.5kg) T: Richard Gibson	101	101	101	101	97
11. Destine Jewellery (4) J: H N Wong (53kg) T: J J Size	41	34	26	26	33
12. Happily Friends (2) J: V Borges (51.5kg) T: K H Ting	9.5	9.5	10	11	9.5

Odds Last Updated: April 28, 2021, 11:47pm (AEDT)

Very interested in (3) Ever Joy on debut here for Paul O’Sullian and Zac Purton. It’s always hard for horses to win on debut at Happy Valley, but Purton’s ridden this horse in all four of his jumpouts and jumps off two other horses in this race to ride him. Drawn midfield in barrier 7, expecting a decent showing.

I dare say Purton would have also been offered the ride on (1) Ares who drops back into Class 4 tonight. Purton has ridden him in both career victories. Barrier 1 over the 1200m is premium so with that drop in class and the good draw, he can be competitive.

(6) Stare Of Wuyi is obviously knocking on the door.

Tip: (3) Ever Joy $7.00/$2.50 Sportsbet

Betting Strategy: 0.5 units E/W Ever Joy

Race 8

Breezy Hcp (C3) (1650m)
12:15am (AEDT)

Race 8 Breezy Hcp (C3) (1650m) 12:15am (AEDT)
1. Super Buddy (3) J: B Shinn (60.5kg) T: D A Hayes	46	41	41	41	35
2. Tashidelek (10) J: T Piccone (60.5kg) T: D Whyte	51	41	34	34	35
3. Alpha Hedge (11) J: Z Purton (58kg) T: K W Lui	5.5	6	6	6	5.8
4. Farshad (7) J: K Teetan (57.5kg) T: Y S Tsui	10	9.5	9.5	10	8.9
5. Helene Wisdom Star (2) J: J Moreira (57kg) T: A S Cruz	3.9	4.2	4.6	5	3.8
6. Turin Redstar (9) J: R Maia (57kg) T: C H Yip	31	31	26	26	29.5
7. Star Of Glory (4) J: H T Mo (56kg) T: C W Chang	101	91	71	71	69
8. Villa Fionn (5) J: H Bentley (54.5kg) T: P Yiu	21	20	18	18	18
9. Bundle Of Delight (8) J: C Y Ho (54kg) T: D J Hall	14	14	14	14	12.2
10. Exceptional Nice (6) J: A Badel (53kg) T: W Y So	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.4
11. Fast Pace (1) J: M Chadwick (53kg) T: C Fownes	3.4	3.4	3.2	3.1	3.45

Odds Last Updated: April 29, 2021, 10:03am (AEDT)

Race 9

Babington Hcp (C3) (1000m)
12:50am (AEDT)

Race 9 Babington Hcp (C3) (1000m) 12:50am (AEDT)
1. Harmony And Rich (7) J: M Chadwick (60.5kg) T: Y S Tsui	12	15	14	14	13.8
2. Larson (6) J: Z Purton (59.5kg) T: F C Lor	6.5	6	6	6	5.9
3. Elon (5) J: A Badel (59kg) T: J J Size	51	41	61	61	29.5
4. Brilliant Fortune (8) J: J Moreira (58kg) T: C Fownes	2.8	2.7	2.7	2.7	2.4
5. Heart Conquered (4) J: T Piccone (57kg) T: Richard Gibson	20	19	21	21	17.6
6. Eight Trigrams (11) J: H T Mo (54.5kg) T: D J Hall	101	91	81	81	63
7. Nordic Wellstar (10) J: C Y Ho (54.5kg) T: D Whyte	13	13	14	14	13.2
8. Super Axiom (2) J: C Schofield (54.5kg) T: D A Hayes	3.9	3.9	3.7	3.8	3.95
9. Falcon Turbo (3) J: H Bentley (53.5kg) T: A T Millard	17	17	17	17	16
10. Momentum Galaxy (12) J: A Hamelin (53.5kg) T: K H Ting	51	41	41	41	36
11. Fabulous Eight (9) J: H N Wong (53kg) T: P Yiu	51	51	51	51	40
12. Harrier Jet (1) J: V Borges (53kg) T: P D O'sullivan	15	17	19	19	17.2

Odds Last Updated: April 29, 2021, 10:03am (AEDT)

The best bet of the night looks to be the favourite (4) Brilliant Fortune in the last. He’s had two starts in Hong Kong and has run 2nd on both occasions. Both were at Sha Tin behind two pretty smart horses, in particular Winner Method who is undefeated. This is a bit different tonight as he comes to the Valley for the first time rather than racing down the Sha Tin straight, but Casper Fownes runners normally excel here. I’d probably be declaring him a moral if he had have drawn inside barrier 3, but so long as he gets a decent trip from barrier 8, I expect him to be exceptionally hard to beat.

Tip: (4) Brilliant Fortune $2.20 Ladbrokes

Betting Strategy: 3 units WIN Brilliant Fortune

Tim Geers

A trip to Hong Kong quickly had Tim hooked to the racing caper, maintaining the best place anywhere in the world on a Wednesday night is Happy Valley. He holds a strong interest in the Hong Kong form, along with the metropolitan racing in Sydney and Melbourne. He’s a fan of dry tracks, Zac Purton and takes particular interest in identifying patterns in the form. Tim wears many hats, juggling the roles of form analyst, jockey manager and racehorse owner.