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

Harmony Fire
1.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Savaquin
1.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

California Cible
2.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Joao Moreira teaming up with Tony Cruz sets alarm bells ringing at any time, so their combined link with California Cible in Wednesday’s Class 3 6f handicap sprint (2.15) at Happy Valley puts punters on full alert.

California Cible impressed with the speed he displayed in two of his three Hong Kong starts, and drawn four, he can take advantage by making all for the Magic Man, who rides this dual winner at the Australian provincials for the first time.

He is tipped to see off an early challenge from the speedy Colonel (drawn five), in the process setting a solid early pace that will give outsider Simply Fluke a chance to fly home with his customary late flourish for a place. Classic Posh is also worth including in multiples.

Moreira is 3-8 for Cruz this season, a noteworthy 37.5 per cent strike-rate that underlines their effectiveness together. The two icons also join forces with Good Shot (12.45), but a wide draw (12 of 12) is a serious blow to his winning chance.

Moreira has made inroads in the championship, now trailing Zac Purton 26-32, but the ever determined Purton has another impressive book of nine rides, including the Douglas Whyte-trained Harmony Fire for the first time, in the Class 3 5f sprint handicap (1.15).

Back in the day, Whyte and Purton were fierce rivals on the track, but since taking out a trainer’s licence, Whyte has wisely taken the view it is better having the Australian on side when it matters and he has used him selectively.

Harmony Fire, a son of top sprinter Brazen Beau, failed by a nose to overhaul Harmony N Blessed over course and distance last time and is set to go one better.

He looks one of the best bets on the card and should be taken in multiples with the John Size newcomer Escape Route, a July Stakes third at Newmarket last year for Richard Fahey.

Size is now producing some big guns after his usual slow start, and his onward march can gather further momentum with Savaquin in the feature, the Class 2 Japan Racing Association Trophy (1.45), over 1m½f.

Savaquin finished an encouraging second to Zebrowski over 1m1f last time and has a nice draw (four), which Chad Schofield can put to good use. The Rock and Chancheng Prince are both dangers.

Happy Valley Tote Placepot perm

12.15
4 Murray's Partners
8 All Joyful

12.45
1 Here Comes Ted
5 A Smile Like Yours

1.15
1 Harmony Fire
7 Escape Route

1.45
1 The Rock
4 Savaquin

2.15
3 Simply Fluke
5 California Cible

2.50
2 Fa Fa
10 The Anomaly

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

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

Happy Valley Wednesday Card

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