Jim McGrath with three top tips for Happy Valley's Wednesday card

Simply Fluke
1.15 Happy Valley
2pts winWind N Grass
2.45 Happy Valley
2pts winCaliforniadeepshot
3.50 Happy Valley
2pts winIt was unusual to see Joao Moreira missing out on the Group 1 glory on Champions Day on Sunday, but his prowess in the saddle remains undimmed as he takes a full book of nine rides on an excellent card at Happy Valley.

Following a treble at the weekend, Moreira has a comfortable buffer of three wins over arch rival Zac Purton, and he has several outstanding chances to build on that lead at the city track.

His best appears to be the Douglas Whyte-trained Simply Fluke in the Class Four 6f sprint handicap (1.15), in which several are expected to be backed, so this is a rare opportunity for value about a Moreira mount.

Whyte, who took over the training of the five-year-old from Dennis C H Yip earlier in the year, struck gold immediately, saddling the gelding for a course and distance success, and there appear to be more wins on the horizon.

With a manageable rise of 5lb in the handicap, Simply Fluke can go in again for his new stable, though expect strong opposition this time, from both Super Alliances and Colonel.

From a string of top chances, Moreira’s most interesting ride is Wind N Grass in the Class Three 6f sprint handicap (2.45), in which he would only have to run up to his most recent effort, when rattling home late for fifth in similar company, to oblige.

He is an eight-start maiden in Hong Kong, but previously won four from six for Ger Lyons in Ireland, including victories at Leopardstown and the Curragh, which is a good guide to his potential. In time, he will be needing a mile.

Moreira fans can also look forward to the ‘Magic Man’ partnering Californiadeepshot for Tony Cruz in the finale, the Class Three 6f sprint handicap (3.50), and this time he will be hoping the Deep Field colt breaks faster from the stalls.

On his previous outing, the three-year-old was a little tardy from the gate, and while another wide draw ensures Moreira will be looking to tuck in mid-division, he will still be wanting to do so after a decent start.

Californiadeepshot gives every indication he will climb the class ladder much higher than his present mark, and Moreira can be relied upon to call on the experience of his first ride on the colt. The reliable Shouson is his main danger.

Flash Famous, in the Class Three handicap over the extended mile (2.15), is another excellent Moreira ride, the gelding attempting his fifth Happy Valley win this season, and an inside draw gives him every chance of pulling it off.

Bets can be placed into HK pools with Ladbrokes, Coral and the Tote

TOTE PLACEPOT

Race 4 (1st leg): 6, 7
Race 5 (2nd leg): 5, 7
Race 6 (3rd leg): 6, 7
Race 7 (4th leg): 1, 7
Race 8 (5th leg): 5, 11
Race 9 (6th leg): 1, 5

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