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

Super Hong Kong
1.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Wild West Wing
2.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Harmony Spirit
3.50 Happy Valley
2pts win

Only a typhoon can prevent Joao Moreira dominating a tricky eight-race card at Happy Valley, and with the imminent threat of Tropical Cyclone Kompasu, there will be an anxious wait to find out whether racing goes ahead.

Hong Kong is well versed in how to prepare in such circumstances. Signal No 8 was posted late on Tuesday as the second typhoon to hit the region in four days gathered strength, forcing the closure of government buildings, offices, schools, most shops and restaurants.

Racing is also threatened. Jockey Club officials must follow government instructions, and they will be hoping the Typhoon reading is downgraded on Wednesday to allow the meeting to proceed.

Moreira has an excellent book of eight rides, with several new mounts worth noting. Heading that list is the Tony Millard-trained Super Hong Kong, who looks well-placed to land the Class 5 handicap, over 1m1f (1.45).

Don’t be deterred by the four-year-old’s 0-8 record, as he has acclimatised and occupies a dangerous mark, having dropped into the bottom grade. His most recent run was an eyecatching fourth (at 42-1) over a mile at Sha Tin, an indication he is now in his comfort zone.

Moreira will drop the John Size-trained Wild West Wing into the box seat and cuddle him from gate 3 in the Class 3 6f handicap (2.45), in which Stoicism, a Sandown maiden winner for Archie Watson prior to export, looms as the main danger.

Wild West Wing is in danger of being typecast — all bar one of his 21 starts has been over 5f — but there is no apparent reason why he will not be seriously competitive over the slightly longer trip.

Harry Bentley has clearly impressed Douglas Whyte with his skills in the saddle, hence his booking for 14-start local maiden Harmony Spirit in the Class 3 handicap, over an extended mile (3.50).

The five-year-old is set to improve on his last start fourth in a Sha Tin 6f sprint handicap, with his awkward gate 9 draw being the only negative. Incanto Prepared and Everyone’s Delight should both be included in multiples in this tricky finale.

Happy Valley Placepot perm

1.15
7 Honest Way
8 Happily Friends

1.45
3 Super Hong Kong
7 Go Ballistic

2.15
6 Inno Legend
9 Lucky Maryknoll

2.45
8 Stoicism
12 Wild West Wing

3.15
2 Decisive Twelve
10 Wood On Fire

3.50
5 Harmony Spirit
6 Incanto Prepared

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

Happy Valley Wednesday card

Bet through the Tote

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote, Coral and Ladbrokes. The first race at Happy Valley on Wednesday is at 12.15pm

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