Hong Kong racing tips: Jim McGrath's three tips and Placepot at Happy Valley

Birdsville
12.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Tempest Express
1.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Heroic Master
2.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

A sense of deja vu prevails about the nine-race card at Happy Valley with two of the best bets having been selected a week ago for almost identical races at the meeting that was cancelled because of an approaching typhoon.

In the event, the storm didn’t reach the heights weather forecasters had feared and a slot has been found for a replacement fixture next July – but now Heroic Master and Birdsville both belatedly get their chance to put a win on the board and should be followed.

Heroic Master caught the eye with a solid third on his Hong Kong debut and is ideally placed to open his local account in the Class 3 5f sprint handicap (2.15), in which his stall three draw is marginally better than the six he was handed last week.

The four-year-old was unbeaten in two runs for Richard and Michael Freedman on country tracks in New South Wales and Frankie Lor has since brought him along nicely for this, but the most significant pointer is Zac Purton taking over from Derek Leung.

This time, Leung will be aboard the chief danger Sergeant Pepper, another who has fared a little better with the draw this week, moving inside two gates to stall five.

The 14-start Hong Kong maiden Birdsville is tipped to land the Class 4 6f handicap (12.15), though he will need the breaks of the race to overcome his extreme outside draw, 12 of 12, in this intriguing sprint.

The only consolation is they race on the ‘A’ Course at Happy Valley, which means the rail comes back to the true position and fractionally reduces the disadvantage of being drawn high. Birdsville is now on a rating 23lb below his assessment on arrival and is placed to win.

Purton has his customary collection of quality rides but of particular interest is the John Size-trained Tempest Express, who he partners for only the third time, in the Class 3 1m1f handicap (1.15).

Purton was aboard for the gelding’s only previous win over the trip, which came at Sha Tin 11 months ago, and with three runs under the belt this season, and having dropped 7lb in the ratings since that victory, he looks ready made for this assignment. Lightly weighted Ensured is next best.