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

Savvy Twinkle
1.40 Happy Valley
2pts win

Loving Vibes
2.10 Happy Valley
2pts win

King Of Fighters
3.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

John Size may be poised to send out his 1,600th Hong Kong winner but Zac Purton, another multiple champion, is ready and able to spoil the party with several of his six quality rides at Happy Valley. Size has won 12 trainers' titles and sits on 1,599 winners, but his team of nine runners on the card lacks depth.

Nebraskan has claims for Size in the 6f handicap (2.10), while his best chance is arguably with A Americ Te Specso in the 1m½f handicap (3.15). They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but six-year-old A Americ Te Specso has defied that in spades.

No disrespect is intended to this admirable son of Per Incanto, who is now 6-37 as he aims for a hat-trick, and the turning point has been stretching him out to the mile.

His problem now is that he has been creeping up in the handicap – he has gone up 6lb for his latest win – and this allows others into the picture, most notably Purton’s mount King Of Fighters, a six-start maiden locally, but one you sense is ready to explode. 

Curiously, what worked for A Americ Te Specso could well do the same for King Of Fighters, who steps up in distance for the first time since his arrival. His only try at the mile in Australia ended in failure, but that was a Group 2 contest when he was out of his depth. 

The four-year-old never looked like picking up winner Power Koepp over 6f last time, but he was closing strongly at the finish and was only half a length away at the line. He is selected to break through this time, with Embraces also having a big chance despite drawing stall 11. 

Purton looks set for a good day, with the Frankie Lor-trained Savvy Twinkle, his mount in the 5f handicap (1.40), the one to beat following an encouraging second to Super Sixty over course and distance last time. This is a new ride for the seven-time champion jockey, who will make the most of it.

The David Eustace-trained Majestic Delight has shown glimpses of promise in his three outings and should be running on well for Hugh Bowman at the finish. 

Purton can also land the money on four-year-old Loving Vibes in the 6f handicap (2.10). The son of Zoustar received a ratings hike of 6lb for a comfortable last-start win and can go in again against similar opposition.

Happy Valley Placepot perm

1.10
2 Mighty Commander
9 Atomic Beauty

1.40
4 Majestic Delight
11 Savvy Twinkle

2.10
2 Super Sixty
6 Loving Vibes

2.45
5 King Miles
6 Victory Sky

3.15
2 A Americ Te Specso
6 King Of Fighters

3.50
1 Happy Fat Cat
3 Power Koepp

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

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