Hong Kong racing tips: JA McGrath with three Happy Valley fancies on Wednesday

Wah May Luck
12.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Sergeant Pepper
1.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Tianchi Monster
2.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Tony Cruz has hit a purple patch, sending out eight winners in the past month, which propelled him into second place in the trainers’ championship, and he is tipped to continue in similar vein on Wednesday’s nine-race card at Happy Valley.

Cruz saddles five runners and, although You’remyeverything in the 6f finale (2.50) will be popular with most punters, stablemate Wah May Luck looks better value in the Class 5 1m1f handicap (12.15).

You’remyeverything impressed when winning over course and distance on his Hong Kong debut three weeks ago and, considering he has the profile of a miler, he must have something in hand on his present mark. His wide draw (ten) is not a worry as his racing pattern is to drop out early.

Wah May Luck might be less exposed than his stablemate despite having run more frequently. He is 0-7, with his only semblance of form being a solid third on his most recent outing, also over 1m1f. There is stamina on the dam side of his pedigree, which is a positive.

Cruz also sends out the interesting debutant Singapore Spirit in the Class 4 6f handicap (1.45), which is an ideal starting point for the Australian-bred three-year-old, who has shown early speed in his recent barrier trials.

Cruz, with 18 wins, trails tearaway Frankie Lor (24) by six in the trainers’ title race, while Zac Purton leads Joao Moreira 42-33 in the jockeys’ ranks, and as ever, the two big-name riders have the pick of the mounts on the Happy Valley card.

Moreira is a new booking for local veteran Tianchi Monster (4-43 in Hong Kong), who is strongly fancied to take the Class 3 1m1f handicap (2.15) after producing two excellent runs from four starts this term. He can capitalise on an inside draw (two), with promising Savvy Kingman his main danger.

Purton has also picked up a new ride in Sergeant Pepper in the Class 3 5f handicap (1.15). The Australian import, twice a winner on Sydney tracks and an encouraging third on his local debut, can put a poor last run behind him.

He passed a barrier trial to the satisfaction of the stewards a week ago, and from gate two he should be in the leading group throughout. Escape Route, who finished third in Newmarket’s July Stakes for Richard Fahey last year prior to export, should be running on at the finish.

Happy Valley Placepot perm

12.15
3 Wah May Luck
4 Super Hong Kong

12.45
2 A Smile Like Yours
8 Wins All

1.15
4 Escape Route
9 Sergeant Pepper

1.45
3 Dassit
4 Singapore Spirit

2.15
3 Tianchi Monster
6 Savvy Kingman

2.50
3 Family Folks
5 You’remyeverything

2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 64 lines

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote, Coral and Ladbrokes. The first race at Happy Valley on Wednesday is at 10.45am.

Happy Valley Wednesday card

Bet through the Tote

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