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

Corleone
12.40 Happy Valley
2pts win

Silvery Breeze
1.40 Happy Valley
2pts win

Mr Desira
2.10 Happy Valley
2pts win

Ryan Moore can put himself back in the limelight in the biggest week of Hong Kong racing by taking the second leg of the International Jockeys’ Championship (12.40) aboard the promising Corleone at Happy Valley on Wednesday. 

Moore, who recently returned after injury, is fit and in the right frame of mind to make an impact in this elite jockeys’ competition, which is the strongest in two decades. The Caspar Fownes-trained Corleone is 1-6 but ready to progress rapidly through the ranks.

Last time out the five-year-old won with authority over course and distance and, as a result, has been given an 8lb hike in the ratings. Nevertheless, the son of Dundeel has been given plenty of time to develop and can rise significantly higher up the ladder. 

Mickael Barzalona, who won the IJC last year despite being priced up a 33-1 outsider, is going to give it a real shake again this time round, and his mount here, the David Hayes-trained Amazing Gaze, should be given another chance as he is still well handicapped.  

Hugh Bowman, who won the IJC in 2016, will be a serious contender again this year, with Silvery Breeze in the third leg, a Class 3 handicap (1.40) over 1m½f, likely to win him valuable points. The David Eustace-trained gelding should settle behind the pace from stall six before running home in the straight. 

Barzalona looks dangerous again here, aboard the consistent Ivy League for Douglas Whyte. The six-year-old has not been beaten far in his last three starts and is set to show improvement. Flying Fortress, who Zac Purton has picked up, will also be competitive in a good heat. 

Hollie Doyle is fast developing a strong following with owners and punters alike, and with Mr Desira perfectly drawn in stall one, she can enhance her reputation by taking the fourth leg of the IJC (2.10), a Class 3 6f sprint handicap.

The Fownes-trained Mr Desira has abundant early speed and should jump straight into the bridle and lead all the way. But one who could be finishing strongly late is Ricky Yiu’s Tourbillon Golfer, who is another with untapped talent. He is to be ridden by former Italian champion Umberto Rispoli. 

Happy Valley Placepot perm

12.10
5 Zeta Hedge
6 Cap Liner

12.40
3 Corleone
6 Amazing Gaze

1.10
2 Argento Ocean
10 Winning Money

1.40
3 Silvery Breeze
10 Ivy League

2.10
9 My Desira
12 Tourbillon Golfer

2.55
7 Sky Heart
8 Awesome Fluke

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 10.30am.

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