Hong Kong racing tips: Jim McGrath with three fancies at Happy Valley

Here Comes Ted
12.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Super Axiom
1.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Naboo Star
1.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Christophe Soumillon hit the ground running after his Covid-enforced isolation and there may be no stopping the Belgian star, who has eight cracking rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

With typical flair, Soumillon hit the target with his first mount back on Sunday and finished with a double. This time, he could better that tally, with Here Comes Ted in the Class 4 6f sprint handicap (12.45) appearing his best chance.

Here Comes Ted was beaten by a wide draw when flying home for fifth (half a length behind the winner) over course and distance two weeks ago, and with an attractive inside draw (stall two), he is expected to chalk up a third win on his 16th start.

The David Ferraris-trained four-year-old is a son of Per Incanto, whose stock continue to do well in Hong Kong. Rewarding Together, with Joao Moreira riding for Frankie Lor, is the danger.

The other Soumillon mount that makes particular appeal is the Happy Valley specialist Naboo Star, sent out by Caspar Fownes in the Class 3 handicap (1.45).

All three of the six-year-old’s wins have been over course and distance, with his preference for the city track obvious. In fact, he has run only three times at Sha Tin from 17 starts, which is unusual.

The gelding was not sighted on the dirt at Sha Tin last time, but back in familiar surroundings, he will be hard to beat with Soumillon aboard. Savaquin, who has the profile of one certain to be more at home over longer trips, should be running on.

David Hayes has an arsenal of fresh talent to fire in the second half of the season, and Super Axiom is already to the forefront of those, having landed an impressive debut victory over 5f at Sha Tin.

The son of Exceed And Excel is a natural speedster, so Chad Schofield is likely to bounce him straight into the lead from stall four, and the others will have their work cut out to catch the three-year-old. He will be short odds but looks a good thing and should be included in all multiples.

Happy Valley Wednesday card

Bet through the Tote

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

TOTE PLACEPOT

Race 4 (1st leg): 1 Happy Good Guys, 4 United We Stand
Race 5 (2nd leg): 3 Rewarding Together, 4 Here Comes Ted
Race 6 (3rd leg): 5 Man Star, 9 Super Axiom
Race 7 (4th leg): 4 Naboo Star, 10 Savaquin
Race 8 (5th leg): 5 Wind N Grass, 10 Kinda Cool
Race 9 (6th leg): 6 Golden Dash, 12 Californiadeepshot

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