Hong Kong tips: Jim McGrath with three fancies for Wednesday's Happy Valley card

Romantic Warrior
1.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Sun Of Makfi
1.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Stormtrouper
2.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Zac Purton has made his jockeys' championship intentions clear early on by kicking eight wins clear, and he can increase that lead with an attractive book of seven rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

Purton was in sparkling form at Sha Tin on Sunday, landing a four-timer while old rival Joao Moreira drew a blank for the second successive meeting, but it is early doors and this could easily develop into a pulsating battle.

Purton’s best ride appears to be the Dennis Yip-trained Stormtrouper, jumping from stall one in the Class 4 sprint handicap (2.45) over 6f, in which Moreira rides likely improver Touch Faith (drawn seven). As ever, the draw on the 'C' course is crucial.

Stormtrouper took time to find his feet before finishing strongly from well back for second in a similar race here last month, but expect Purton to have him more alert at the start this time and holding his position behind the pace early.

Although he is 0-6, the son of Toronado shows potential and is just starting to climb the class ladder. Touch Faith, who has a similar profile, will be running on well, while Whiskey Neat is expected to blaze the trail in a bid to break his local duck at the 29th attempt.

Purton also partners the in-form Red Majesty for David Hayes in the Class 4 handicap (1.45) over 1m½f, in which the gelding will have Sun Of Makfi to beat.

Hayes, with 13 wins on the board, is setting a cracking pace in the trainers’ championship and while Red Majesty is getting higher in the handicap, he is measuring up, even overcoming a bad draw to win over course and distance last time.

Sun Of Makfi put the writing on the wall on his last start when a close sixth in a 7f handicap at Sha Tin, and as a course-and-distance winner, he has a lot going for him now he is back in form and in familiar territory.

Moreira rides the most interesting newcomer on the nine-race card, the Danny Shum-trained Romantic Warrior in the Class 4 6f sprint handicap (1.15).

The three-year-old impressed in winning a recent barrier trial, displaying the speed he will need to overcome his wide draw (stall 12).

Happy Valley Placepot perm

1.15
1 Happy Good Guys
6 Romantic Warrior

1.45
2 Red Majesty
6 Sun Of Makfi

2.15
2 Harmony N Blessed
4 Harmony Fire

2.45
7 Stormtrouper
11 Touch Faith

3.15
2 Decisive Twelve
4 Family Folks

3.50
7 Meaningful Star
8 Surrealism

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

Happy Valley Wednesday card

Bet through the Tote

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