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

Ice Legend
1.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Charming Steed
1.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Beauty Glory
2.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

A first-time booking of Joao Moreira for any horse is as good as a trainer firing a flare into the sky on a dark night at sea — and there are two notable examples to be found on the nine-race card at Happy Valley.

It is not a distress call, as such, but it is often a shout for assistance, which the jockey provides regularly to a wide variety of stables. Caspar Fownes is no exception and he has jocked up Moreira on the promising maiden Charming Steed for the first time in the Class 4 6f handicap (1.45).

By Hong Kong standards, the son of multiple Group 1 winner Charm Spirit was not an expensive purchase, going through the Arqana sales ring in France for €130,000 before being reoffered at Hong Kong’s International Sale, where he was knocked down for around £190,000.

He has been very consistent – only once out of the first four in five starts – but Fownes is clearly in need of a top, in-form jockey to get him over the line and from stall seven, Moreira is the man to deliver.

Charming Steed’s best effort so far came in January when he chased home up-and-coming Ice Legend over course and distance (more about Ice Legend further down the column) and he still looks attractively handicapped on a mark of 54.

Blake Shinn has become David Hayes’s go-to rider – he answered the description perfectly when winning on Nervous Witness on Sunday – and it is significant the Australian has been booked for the talented Sight Hero this time.

The other trainer notably calling on Moreira’s services at Happy Valley is Tony Cruz, who has booked him for Beauty Glory for the first time in the Class 3 handicap (2.45), over 1m½f.

This dual winner for Ger Lyons, at Limerick and Dundalk, is no world-beater but gave a glimpse of potential in this grade when third last time, just failing to make all.

From the inside stall, Moreira has options, and the gelding is close to a win.

Zac Purton rides Nothing New, also for the first time. This 17-start maiden in Hong Kong can win at this level but his wide draw (12) is a big challenge.

Finally, mention of Ice Legend, who should appreciate the step up in trip in the Class 4 handicap (1.15), in which he will be tested for the first time over 1m½f.

The gelding missed his last scheduled outing when injuring himself coming off the horsebox on arrival at the track. He is now fit and ready, and is confidently selected to win for Harry Bentley.

HAPPY VALLEY TOTE PLACEPOT

1.15
6 Viva Popcorn
7 Ice Legend

1.45
2 Charming Steed
6 Sight Hero

2.15
7 HK Dragon
9 E Legend

2.45
4 Beauty Glory
5 Nothing New

3.15
5 Party Warrior
8 Seizing The Moment

3.50
2 Toronado Phantom
4 Eason

Happy Valley card on Wednesday

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