Hong Kong tips: Jim McGrath has three Wednesday selections at Happy Valley

Wide Blue Yonder
12.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Juneau Flash
1.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Dynamic Spirit
2.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

If you are latching on to Zac Purton on the nine-race card at Happy Valley on Wednesday, expect the experience to be short but sweet.

The five-time champion’s best rides are favourites – the untapped Juneau Flash in the Class 4 sprint handicap (1.45) and Brazilian import Dynamic Spirit in the Class 3 handicap (2.15) over the extended mile – and both should win.

The John Size-trained Juneau Flash is 0-3 but his last two efforts were promising. A fourth and then a second over course and distance point to this son of Starspangledbanner being primed and ready to go in this time.

A first-time booking for Purton, the four-year-old starts from stall five, the closest he has drawn to the inside rail, and should be perfectly placed in the dash to the first turn before being unleashed in the home straight.

In-form Faribault, who is all the better for a wind operation, is the obvious danger, with Silvestre de Sousa taking over from Purton, who has given punters a massive steer in switching his allegiance to the favourite.

It is always difficult to get a handle on Brazilian form, but Dynamic Spirit was a multiple Group 1 winner there over a mile prior to export, and having just started to show signs of being acclimatised, he will be hard to beat in the 1m½f handicap (2.15).

Purton was aboard when the Danny Shum-trained gelding finished fourth over course and distance three weeks ago, and from a perfect draw in stall five, he should be handy all the way. His main threat is Prince Alex, who has a Listed placing to his name in Melbourne and looks a decent prospect.

Trainer David Hayes is in form, with wins at the past three meetings, and he is set to serve up the value bet of the day in Wide Blue Yonder, who has to overcome a wide gate in stall 12 in the Class 4 handicap (12.15) over the extended mile.

The four-year-old was done no favours in running in a 7f handicap at Sha Tin last month and is well worth another chance. Expect Hugh Bowman to use all his renowned guile to sort out the problem of the draw. Rainbow Light is next best in an open race.

Happy Valley Placepot perm

12.15
1 Wide Blue Yonder
2 Rainbow Light

12.45
1 Act Of Faith
7 King Eccellente

1.15
6 Yellowfin
9 E Brother

1.45
4 Juneau Flash
7 Faribault

2.15
3 Dynamic Spirit
4 Prince Alex

2.50
3 Heroic Master
9 Gold Gold Baby

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

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

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