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

Joyful Mood
12.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Hk Dragon
1.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Savvy Kingman
2.50 Happy Valley
2pts win

Old adversaries Zac Purton and Douglas Whyte are always to be followed when they team up these days, which is a good reason to weigh in with Hk Dragon in the 1m½f handicap (1.45) at Happy Valley.

There was no love lost between the two when they were riding against each other back in the day, but when Whyte took out his trainers' licence Purton turned up on his doorstep with some advice: ‘You need me’.

The way Purton is riding at present, it is fair to say all trainers would be better for employing his services. Since partnering 20 winners during Joao Moreira’s absence due to suspension last month, the Australian is unstoppable and leads 82-78 in the championship.

Purton is booked for Hk Dragon for the first time, replacing Vincent Ho, who was aboard when the Japanese-bred four-year-old by Lord Kanaloa turned in an enormous run to take third on his most recent start. If he can reproduce that, he will go close.

Harry Bentley has formed a good association with Nimble Nimbus, and it is not hard to see the four-year-old taking to the tight city course at the first time of asking, particularly from an attractive inside draw in stall two. He is the danger to Hk Dragon.

Purton has several other excellent chances, arguably the best being Savvy Kingman in the 1m1f handicap (2.50). Three of the gelding’s four wins have been over course and distance and he can cope with his 7lb hike.

Savvy Kingman, who has scope to go higher up the grades, is a half-brother to a German Oaks winner, which explains his prowess over this trip. Moreira’s mount Exceptional Nice, drawn on the rail in stall one, is the chief danger.

Purton should be able to get the David Hayes-trained Nervous Witness back to winning ways in the 5f handicap (2.15), but perhaps a safer bet is his mount Joyful Mood in the 6f handicap (12.45).

Well fancied on his debut, Joyful Mood will be better for the experience he gained when a creditable third to the capable Regency Star. Natural progression should see him oblige this time.

Happy Valley Tote Placepot

12.15
2 Party Warrior
10 Seizing The Moment

12.45
5 Flaming Eagle
6 Joyful Mood

1.15
3 Common Room
4 Lucky Quality

1.45
1 Nimble Nimbus
6 HK Dragon

2.15
5 Nervous Witness
9 Special M

2.50
1 Savvy Kingman
6 Exceptional Nice

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

Happy Valley card on Wednesday

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