Jim McGrath with three fancies for Happy Valley on Wednesday

Arrogant
11.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Savvy Kingman
1.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Capital Star
3.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Joao Moreira has another cracking book of rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday, headed by the frustrating Arrogant, who has an ideal chance to open his account locally in the Class 3 1m3f handicap (11.45).

Moreira is 16 clear of Zac Purton in their battle for the jockeys’ title, but the 'Magic Man' reminds us it is a long way to go to the season’s end in July.

“Zac is already clipping my heels and I feel this is going to go to the wire,” he said.

Caspar Fownes has pulled a master stroke in booking Moreira for Arrogant, who came to Hong Kong with a big reputation after his second to highly rated The Autumn Sun in the Rosehill Guineas in Sydney.

There have been glimpses of that promise, but he is 0-12 in his new environment and connections might reasonably have expected him to have broken through by now.

The five-year-old has been placed twice in his last three starts at staying trips – any horse who gets 1m2f and beyond is termed a stayer in Hong Kong – and finds himself 20lb lower in the ratings than he was on arrival.

From an inside gate (1), Moreira may drop into the box seat or decide to make all – either way, Arrogant should be in the firing line throughout and go very close.

Purton is on the danger, the Tony Cruz-trained Golden Spectrum, a three-time winner for Gay Kelleway before export.

Moreira also has excellent prospects on Savvy Kingman, who is set to notch his maiden win in the Class 4 handicap (1.45), over 1m½f, after finishing in the frame on his last three starts. He was overpowered late when attempting to lead all the way last time and must go well again.

The 'Magic Man' struck gold on Capital Star from a wide draw over course and distance two starts ago, and despite a shock defeat at odds-on last time, he is selected to land the Class 3 6f handicap (3.15).

From gate 2, Moreira may decide to sit behind the leaders this time on the Fownes-trained sprinter. The Cruz-trained Mig Energy is the main threat.

Happy Valley Placepot perm

1.15
1 Bright Kid
4 Oscar Glory

1.45
8 Savvy Kingman
9 Mister Arm

2.15
2 Flaming Passion
8 Fire Ball

2.45
5 My My My
6 Spicy So Good

3.15
1 Capital Star
3 Mig Energy

3.50
2 Be Ready
7 Ever Force

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

Happy Valley Wednesday card

Bet through the Tote

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote, Coral and Ladbrokes. The first race at Happy Valley on Wednesday is at 11.45am

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