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

Flying Fortress
2.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Sky Vino
3.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Spicy Gold
3.50 Happy Valley
2pts win

Harry Bentley can enhance his reputation as the quiet achiever of the jockey ranks by landing the Class 3 1m½f handicap (2.45) aboard the improving Flying Fortress on the nine-race card at Happy Valley.

The 32-year-old has added significantly to his CV, passing 100 winners in Hong Kong this season, achieved over the past four years. He is 11th with 25 wins in the jockeys' standings with 13 racedays remaining in the season, which ends on July 16, and there is every chance he can improve his position to finish in the top ten.

Bentley was aboard when Flying Fortress registered his breakthrough local win over course and distance last month. The four-year-old import by Shamexpress, sire of the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising, had previously won his only start in New Zealand, a 6f maiden on heavy ground.

He arrives off the back of a neck second to A Americ Te Specso over course and distance and can resume winning ways in what appears an ideal race. He has bags of potential.

Jumbo Legend has dropped back in trip quite dramatically, but the booking of Hugh Bowman is worth noting. He can run well, though the most likely danger to Flying Fortress is Andrea Atzeni’s mount Aestheticism, who is drawn nicely in stall three.

Caspar Fownes has enjoyed plenty of success with the ‘Sky’ horses over the years and the ultra consistent Sky Vino can take full advantage of Ellis Wong’s 7lb claim in the Class 4 1m½f handicap (3.15).

The three-year-old has only once been out of the first four in eight starts and is another on the upward climb. He still looks well handicapped. The David Eustace-trained Amazing Award looks the main threat with Karis Teetan aboard.

Mark Newnham is set to end the meeting on a high note when sending out the in-form Spicy Gold in the Class 3 6f handicap (3.50).

The son of So You Think has won three of his nine starts this season and goes well for Alexis Badel.

Happy Valley Placepot perm

1.10
6 Island Buddy
7 Country Dancer 

1.40
5 Sight Supreme
6 Silver Up 

2.10
2 Young Arrow
4 My Day My Way 

2.45
2 Aestheticism
5 Flying Fortress 

3.15
3 Sky Vino
5 Amazing Award 

3.50
3 Spicy Gold
7 Very Grateful

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote. The first race at Happy Valley on Wednesday is at 11.40am

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