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

Tourbillon Golfer
2.10 Happy Valley
2pts win

Lo Rider
2.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Super Infinity
3.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Caspar Fownes is hoping to take the promising Lo Rider to the top grade, and the Class 2 1m1f handicap (2.45) can act as an important stepping stone to that target on an interesting nine-race card at Happy Valley.

The four-year-old import, who was 2-4 when carrying the Aga Khan’s colours in Ireland, gave a hint of his ability when he produced his best run here for fourth in the Hong Kong Derby in March.

He finished just a length and a half behind winner Cap Ferrat after making a bold bid to make all under Hugh Bowman. Lo Rider then came back following his end-of-season break to win first time out under Harry Bentley, having been ridden just off the pace.

His chief danger will be Encountered, who he beat into second last time, while La City Blanche is expected to appreciate being stretched out to this distance.

Zac Purton will be looking to get his eye in before his important mission on Saturday in Sydney, where he rides Ka Ying Rising in The Everest, when he partners the potentially smart Tourbillon Golfer for Ricky Yiu in the Class 4 6f handicap (2.10).

A wide draw (12) in a 6f handicap at Sha Tin last time saw Purton forced to make a lot of use of the four-year-old in the charge to the first turn. The effort took its toll and he did well to finish fourth behind Jubilant Winner.

It could be argued he has not fared much better in being drawn in stall ten here, but if Purton can find a way to secure some early cover he will still be hard to beat. The Fownes-trained Mr Desira clearly has ability and is a danger under Vincent Ho.

Mark Newnham leads the trainers’ championship with 11 winners after ten racedays and has several with good chances again. The pick is the consistent Super Infinity in the Class 3 6f handicap (3.15).

The five-year-old runs off a rating of 68 for the fifth time in a row but, following his off-season break, he can put his second win on the board. The Francis Lui-trained King Miles, with Ho aboard, is next best.

Happy Valley Placepot perm

1.10
4 Impending Legacy
7 Thunder Prince

1.40
4 Forever Glorious
7 Youth Power

2.10
3 Tourbillon Golfer
5 Mr Desira

2.45
3 Encountered
5 Lo Rider

3.15
3 Super Infinity
6 King Miles

3.50
6 Wrote A New Page
8 Excellence Value

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 11.40am BST.

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