Happy Valley Racing Tips: Wednesday, December 8th

It’s a blockbuster night (week) of racing in Hong Kong ahead of this weekend’s Hong Kong International Races!

Tonight’s Happy Valley meeting is headlined by the International Jockeys’ Championship, with the likes of Zac Purton, Joao Moreira, James McDonald, Damian Lane and Ryan Moore all engaged.

The IJC consists of four legs – Race 4, Race 5, Race 7 and Race 8.

Tim Geers has previewed five races on the card that he’s keen to bet in and offered his thoughts on the IJC below!

Race 3

(2) SUNNY AND GOLD ($4.00) gets one more chance tonight from the gun draw with Purton on. Knocking on the door but with the weight he needs everything to go his way and from barrier 3 he should get that. Backable price, tonight or never.

Tip: (2) Sunny And Gold $4.00 TopSport

Betting strategy: 1 unit WIN Sunny And Gold

Race 4

Keen on (8) AWESOME TREASURE ($3.80) after a good debut at Sha Tin. Some query 7 weeks between runs/back to 1000m but trust David Hayes. Inside draws over the 1000m aren’t great so the middle draw is perfect and nearest rival is drawn the rail.

Think the actual danger is (2) FABULOUS EIGHT ($4.80) who is ready to win.

Tip: (8) Awesome Treasure $3.80 Bet365

Saver: (2) Fabulous Eight $4.80 Bet365

Betting strategy: 1 unit WIN Awesome Treasure, 0.25 units WIN Fabulous Eight

Race 5

Three chances. (1) SACRED IBIS ($6.50) drops in class. Surely been giving him runs the past couple in prep for the class drop. Gone back and run home in the fastest splits his past couple. Good draw, good jock and class drop all ticks.

(4) AI ONE ($3.70) is my top selection. Unlike the 1000m, inside draws over the 1650m are premium, so barrier 1 is a big plus here. Ran 2nd over track and distance last start, Ryan Moore gets the ride, rates as the horse to beat.

(10) GLORIOUS LOVER ($8.00) has been ridden by Alfred Chan and Jerry Chau in every start this season. Now gets Purton on courtesy of the IJC draw. Gets barrier 3 and has placed 5 times from 8 starts at the track and distance.

Tip: (4) Ai One $3.70 TopSport

Savers: (1) Sacred Ibis $6.50 Bet365 & (10) Glorious Lover $8.00 Ladbrokes

Betting strategy: 1.5 unit WIN Ai One, 0.5 units WIN Sacred Ibis, 0.25 units WIN Glorious Lover

Race 6

(11) CORDYCEPS ONE ($4.60) gets his chance tonight. Placed in both starts over this track and distance in his two runs this season. Has drawn barriers 11 and 9 in those races, now draws barrier 2 with Vincent Ho retaining the ride. Inside draws over 1200m a big plus.

Tip: (11) Cordyceps One $4.60 Ladbrokes

Betting strategy: 1 unit WIN Cordyceps One

Race 9

(12) FA FA ($3.30) just keeps improving and keeps winning. Has won his past four, now steps up to Class 2 and 1800m for the first time, but carries 51.5kg with a plum draw. Happy to go again.

Tip: (12) Fa Fa $3.30 PlayUp

Betting strategy: 1 unit WIN Fa Fa