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

Ocean Impact
12.40 Happy Valley
2pts win

Yee Cheong Spirit
1.10 Happy Valley
2pts win

Amazing Gaze
1.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

James McDonald, basking in the brilliance of champion Romantic Warrior at the weekend, which rebooted his current visit, can strike again at a lower level with Ocean Impact in the Class 4 1m1f handicap (12.40) at Happy Valley.

Uncharacteristically, J-Mac had gone three meetings and 20 rides without landing a winner but then fired in a treble at Sha Tin, including two Group 2s, which is typical of the jockey wearing the ‘World’s Best’ crown.

Ocean Impact is a New Zealand-bred five-year-old, who took all of six runs in his first season to get acclimatised and find his level in the handicap. He's 0-9 and his best run was arguably his most recent when he ran on strongly for third over course and distance.

He finished two and a quarter lengths behind Hakka Radiance, who has struck a purple patch with a hat-trick.

Ocean Impact has stamina bloodlines on the dam’s side of his pedigree and the booking of McDonald looks significant. So, too, is trainer Douglas Whyte fitting blinkers for the first time. 

In what promises to be the most intriguing of the nine races, Zac Purton has stuck with the improving South American import Supreme Agility, who must be a danger, but also in the same boat is the unexposed Vivacious Win, trained by David Eustace. 

McDonald has five rides, and another excellent prospect for him is Yee Cheong Spirit, trained by his old pal Danny Shum, in the Class 4 6f handicap (1.10). The six-year-old’s sole win in 16 starts came 12 months ago, over course and distance, with J-Mac is the saddle.

In his last outing, Yee Chong Spirit was on the end of a chain of interference at the first turn and he did well to grab third, beaten a length and a half. Robot Lucky Star looks his main threat here.

 The Ka Ying Rising combo, Purton and David Hayes, team up again with the untapped Amazing Gaze in the Class 4 1m½f handicap (1.45). The four-year-old is developing nicely and will be winning his way to a higher grade soon.

Happy Valley Placepot perm

12.10
1 Fatal Blow
10 Roman Crown

12.40
9 Ocean Impact
11 Vivacious Win

1.10
1 Robot Lucky Star
7 Yee Cheong Spirit

1.45
3 Amazing Award
5 Amazing Gaze

2.15
6 Keen Molly
7 King Lotus

2.50
2 Symbol Of Strength
3 Spicy Gold

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 10.40am. 

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