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

Exceed The Wish
1.10 Happy Valley
2pts win

Northern Beast
1.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Cheaha
2.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Mark Newnham can consolidate his position at the top of the trainers’ standings with a strong hand of six runners, headed by maiden Exceed The Wish in the Class 4 6f handicap (1.10) on a tough card at Happy Valley.

Newnham has made a brilliant start to the season, saddling 21 winners, which places him five ahead of his nearest pursuer David Hayes, who also has his team in good form early. Exceed The Wish gives Newnham the chance to maintain his excellent strike-rate.

Usually, going 11 runs without winning is disappointing, but not so in this instance as the Maurice five-year-old has consistently produced a strong finish, coming from way off the pace from a wide draw.

His best run was two starts back when, partnered by today’s jockey Lyle Hewitson, he finished a half-length second to Flying Wrote after having only one behind him as they settled. This time he has a marginally better draw in stall eight, which will suit his style of running.

James McDonald has yet to notch a winner from 13 rides on his current stint and none of his six mounts is short in the betting today. However, the Danny Shum-trained Winning Champion, a three-year-old by Alabama Express, shows a lot of promise and is the danger here at a value price.

Zac Purton has a relatively light day on paper with only four rides, yet it would not surprise if he went close to winning on the final three of them. The David Hall-trained Northern Beast comes to this off the back of a solid fourth in similar company and can land the Class 4 handicap over an extended mile (1.45).

The Newnham-trained Incredible Moment has drawn the extreme outside (12) but has the speed to get a handy position in the dash to the first turn. Lightly raced, he has one second to his name, and is having a crack at the trip for the first time.

Purton can also win on the Frankie Lor-trained South Star in the finale, the Class 3 handicap over the extended mile (2.50), but by far his most intriguing mount is Cheaha, saddled by Tony Cruz, in the Class 3 6f handicap sprint (2.15).

The gelding was sent off at 52-1 but flew home for a close fifth for Angus Chung last time. Purton has stepped forward to take the ride, which will make a difference. Refusetobeenglish, with Andrea Atzeni aboard, is next best.