Jim McGrath reckons Douglas Whyte has made a shrewd booking at Happy Valley

Maldives
12.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Smiling City
1.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Sky Darci
2.50 Happy Valley
2pts win

Douglas Whyte was dubbed ‘The Durban Demon’ in his long reign as 13-times champion jockey in Hong Kong, when he was in a perfect position to weigh up the relative merits of his rivals in the saddle.

So it interesting that since taking out a trainer’s licence, he has kissed and made up (cautiously, it appears) with Zac Purton, and has now extended a welcoming hand to Joao Moreira, who has been booked by Whyte for the first time this season in the Class Three 1m½f handicap (1.45) at Happy Valley.

Whyte will leg the ‘Magic Man’ aboard Smiling City, who is tipped to overcome the extreme outside draw (12) by crossing to the inside rail before the first turn and making all.

The five-year-old won on metro tracks in Melbourne and Sydney and is one from 15 in Hong Kong, the sole local win coming one grade lower over course and distance in June. His two runs this season have been creditable but Moreira’s booking is a potential game-changer.

Reel Bizzy (Purton) is consistent in this class and has solid claims, as has the John Size-trained Leap Of Faith, who is a Moreira discard this time.

The ‘good thing’ on the card, Sky Darci, will be virtually unbackable in the Class Three 6f sprint handicap (2.50) but should still get the money, with the newcomer Igniting, winner of a recent barrier trial at Sha Tin, capable of being placed first-up in Hong Kong.

Caspar Fownes has high hopes Sky Darci can develop into a serious contender for the Classic Mile, so this is an important stepping stone. The handicapper, for one, must think he has the ability to make it — his decision to put him up 5lb for finishing second at the end of last season was vindicated when the gelding won first-up this term.

Earlier on the card, the David Hall-trained Maldives can finally pick up a race at the fifth attempt when tackling the Class Four 1m½f handicap (12.45). He has never run a bad race.

The son of Burgundy turned in a cracking run last time out. After dropping out from a wide draw over course and distance, he ran on strongly for fourth, beaten a length, and in similar company he should notch his first win. Neil Callan steps in for the ride.

Tote Placepot recommendations

Race three (1st leg): 2 Magic Supreme, 3 Here Comes Ted

Race four (2nd leg): 3 Zhan Jiang Rocks, 5 Maldives

Race five (3rd leg): 2 Whiskey Neat, 8 Hin Yuen Bis

Race six (4th leg): 10 Leap Of Faith, 11 Smiling City

Race seven (5th leg): 6 Green Reign, 7 High Rise Soldier

Race eight (6th leg): 1 Sky Darci, 8 Igniting

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote, Coral and Ladbrokes. First race at Happy Valley on Wednesday is 11.15am