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

Money Catcher
1.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Rocket Spade
2.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Howdeepisyourlove
2.50 Happy Valley
2pts win

Silvestre de Sousa is set to build on his recent success by winning the Group 3 January Cup (1.45) over 1m1f aboard Money Catcher on a tricky card at Happy Valley.

De Sousa is third in the jockeys' championship with 25 wins at a strike-rate of 12.25 per cent, and the in-form Money Catcher is the ideal horse to bag him another trophy. D Sousa took the Sa Sa Ladies Purse on him three starts back.

The Frankie Lor-trained five-year-old had decent form in New Zealand, but he took time to break through in Hong Kong, being placed eight times before winning. But among the placings was a noteworthy third to Romantic Warrior and California Spangle in last year's Derby.

Money Catcher was beaten over five lengths last time out, but he battled on well for a creditable third to Romantic Warrior in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup on international day at Sha Tin. He is in cracking form and his credentials stand out here.

Glorious Dragon, once regarded as a potential staying star, returns to the track after 13 months out with injury. He has a new trainer in Pierre Ng and Hugh Bowman in the saddle for the first time, but this is surely a stepping stone to other targets.

Rise Brethren is reunited with Alexis Badel, the last jockey to have won on him back in October. The drop back in trip may also be to his advantage in a race in which Looking Great is a useful outsider.

In 2021, Money Catcher was runner-up in the Auckland Guineas and Avondale Guineas (both Group 2s) to subsequent New Zealand Derby winner Rocket Spade, another who has struggled to acclimatise in Hong Kong but now gets his chance to break his duck locally in the Class 3 handicap (2.15) over 1m½f.

Rocket Spade's last two runs were crackers, and so long as Bowman can get some cover in the middle of the pack from an awkward draw (10), he should go close. The lightly weighted Dragon Delight caught the eye last time and is one for multiples.

John Size is tipped to saddle the final winner on the card with progressive three-year-old Howdeepisyourlove in the 6f sprint handicap (2.50). He should cope admirably with the rise in grade, particularly with his light weight.

Happy Valley Placepot perm

12.15
1 Whizz Kid
5 Ping Hai Galaxy

12.45
5 Happy Fat Cat
10 Happy Soul

1.15
3 Lucky Gold
10 Perfect To Great

1.45
2 Money Catcher
8 Rise Brethren

2.15
6 Rocket Spade
12 Dragon Delight

2.50
10 Howdeepisyourlove
11 Savvy Chic

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

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