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

Beauty Tycoon
12.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Jumbo Legend
1.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Zone D
2.50 Happy Valley
2pts win

Caspar Fownes, who is ticking over nicely in joint-fourth in the trainers’ championship, looks set to pull off a noteworthy hat-trick with the progressive Jumbo Legend in the Class 3 6f handicap (1.45) at Happy Valley.

Under Hong Kong’s tight handicapping regime, it is difficult to notch three wins on the trot, particularly straddling two classes, but this talented Australian-bred four-year-old has the ability and potential to do it.

He finished strongly from way back to collar Shining Fortune and Gang Of Brothers (a good each-way bet in the 2.15) under top weight last time, but stepping up a grade this time he will have a stone less in the saddle, which will be to his advantage. Solid Impact is his danger.

Fownes has chalked up 12 winners at a nine per cent strike-rate this season, putting him six behind leader Tony Cruz, and he also has a decent chance with frustrating maiden Storm Legend in the finale, the Class 3 handicap over 1m½f (2.50).

Storm Legend was twice a winner at Naas for Fozzie Stack but, although placed five times in Hong Kong, his record is 0-16 locally and Fownes has booked Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jye McNeil in an attempt to break the ice.

Despite his valid claims with a light weight, he may find the John Size-trained, Zac Purton-ridden Zone D just a little too talented. Zone D, who finished well to take second behind Red Majesty in a similar race last time, is a typically progressive Size graduate and there still appears more to come.

Size and Purton are also tipped to combine for a win with Beauty Tycoon in the Class 3 6f handicap (12.45), which could well prove a ‘Beauty bonanza’ as his main opposition comes from the Cruz-trained Yo Beauty, who is owned by the same family interests.

Beauty Tycoon makes his Happy Valley debut following a win over the distance at Sha Tin and a solid third behind King Land in a similar race, in which subsequently impressive Victor The Winner was unplaced. Purton takes over from injured Alexis Badel.

Angus Chung will claim a useful 10lb allowance on Yo Beauty, which will greatly assist as the apprentice is riding well and is certainly good value for his claim.

Happy Valley Placepot perm

12.15
3 Sparky Star
4 Red Brick Fighter

12.45
3 Yo Beauty
5 Beauty Tycoon

1.15
4 Turin Warrior
5 Right As Rain

1.45
7 Solid Impact
9 Jumbo Legend

2.15
3 Gang Of Brothers
7 Nordic Dragon

2.50
4 Zone D
10 Exceptional Nice

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

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