Hong Kong racing tips: Jim McGrath with three selections at Happy Valley on Wednesday

Sky Vino
2.10 Happy Valley
2pts win

King Of Fighters
2.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Beauty Alliance
3.50 Happy Valley
2pts win

Tony Cruz has pressed the ‘P’ button in an attempt to coax a win out of the well-credentialed King Of Fighters in the Class 3 6f handicap sprint (2.45) on an interesting nine-race card at Happy Valley.

However, while Cruz might be a little anxious the four-year-old is 0-5 for him despite showing so much promise, the ‘P’ is not for panic, it is for Purton. 

The seven-time champion jockey is a first-time booking for the gelding, who has been a source of much frustration. He replaces Brenton Avdulla, who was aboard in all five runs in Hong Kong. Tellingly, he told stewards he thought King Of Fighters might benefit from being ridden more conservatively in the early stages. That is interesting as Purton, who can be aggressive out of the stalls, finds himself drawn in three, and it seems unlikely he would give up the advantage of a beautiful inside draw based on the observations of another rival.

The reason expectations are high for King Of Fighters is that prior to export he showed some top-level form, finishing placed behind two subsequent Classic winners in Melbourne, Southport Tycoon (Australian Guineas) and Griff (Caulfield Guineas).

With luck in running, King Of Fighters can be up in the box seat throughout and then produce what is required in the finish.  

Power Koepp, who was caught unawares when Giant Leap applied the pressure up front last time, is place material here.

Caspar Fownes can live up to his reputation as king of the Valley with a couple of good chances, particularly the progressive Sky Vino, who will be partnered by Hugh Bowman in the Class 4 handicap (2.10) over 1m½f.

The three-year-old has again drawn terribly (ten of 12), but the return of Bowman is reassuring. He has run some nice races and should easily win his way out of this grade and go on to better things. 

Firefoot, who had every chance last time, is next best.

In the finale, the Class 3 1m1f handicap (3.50), the John Size-trained Beauty Alliance subjects the Derby form to further examination. The gelding was 12th to Cap Ferrat, but had previously hacked up in two handicaps to progress rapidly up the ladder. He can regain the winning thread here.

Happy Valley Placepot perm

1.10
5 Plentiful
7 Super Sixty

1.40
1 Jumbo Treasure
3 Flying Wrote

2.10
2 Sky Vino
5 Firefoot

2.45
5 King Of Fighters
6 Power Koepp

3.15
1 Horsepower
2 Youthful Spirits

3.50
3 Beauty Alliance
5 Jumbo Legend

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote. The first race at Happy Valley on Wednesday is at 11.40am

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