Low draw makes Highly Proactive look highly progressive

Progressive sprinters top the bill at Happy Valley on Wednesday and, with the rail out wide in the C+3 position, the draw can play a significant role in shaping markets and races.

Defying a high draw is especially tough over 1,200m when the track is at its narrowest – only five of the last 177 starters have won from stall ten or higher – and that sounds caution for Joao Moreira and Snap Fit in the Chater Handicap (2.50).

Those who do win from out wide on the C+3 track tend to be quick, progressive or a combination of the two.

So, step forward Highly Proactive, who opened his Hong Kong account over course and distance last month, showing fine pace despite being forced to race way wider than ideal from stall 12, then finding plenty when challenged under Karis Teetan.

Karis Teetan: the Mauritian partners the speedy Highly ProactiveCredit: Aitor Alcalde

A 6lb rise for that was only to be expected but Highly Proactive is clearly improving. Stall three will ensure much smoother sailing this time and Highly Proactive and the reliable Shining Ace look by far the most interesting runners in a race which lacks depth by Class 3 standards.

Front-running Bear can bellow again

Teetan partners another who defied the outside gate on the C+3 track recently when Flying Genius moves up to Class 3 in the Connaught Handicap over 1,000m (2.15).

Tony Cruz's gelding seeks a hat-trick after an emphatic course-and-distance win and will probably lead again from stall four, but the presence of several other fast horses – headed by Hong Kong Win, G Unit and Allied Agility – could complicate matters.

Full card at Happy Valley

Early speed will be equally important in the Edinburgh Handicap (1.45) as two impressive December Valley winners cross swords.

Magnificent finished third in the 2018 Britannia Handicap for Richard Hannon and returns to the Valley in fine form after a commanding success under Zac Purton.

An 8lb rise looks fair enough, but Purton’s absence won't help and Bear Again is the one to beat now connections have found the way to ride him.

Bear Again had been racing too freely under restraint but looked a different horse from the front four weeks ago, finding bundles when challenged, then sprinting well clear under Alexis Badel.

Alexis Badel: rides Bear Again, who has a great deal in his favourCredit: Patrick McCann

He's 10lb higher now but still looks well treated and, with the inside gate an a bonus, he has a great deal in his favour.

Whyte's hot streak continues

The Douglas Whyte bandwagon rolls on after a Saturday double with promising youngsters Inner Flame and Farhh Above.

Farhh Above clearly impressed at the Craven Breeze-Up Sale in 2018, when he was sold for 155,000gns having gone through the same ring for 28,000gns four months earlier, and won at the second attempt in Hong Kong when trained by Francis Lui in July.

Market confidence was strong for his Whyte debut and Farhh Above was impressive on every level, travelling strongly in rear from an outside draw under Vincent Ho, then rattling off an eyecatching closing split of 21.62sec (much the best of the day) to win cosily with the promise of much better to come.

The fact that Whyte had been thinking of the Classic Mile is notable but the South African is too canny to waste a good mark in pursuit of a level weights contest against horses rated 100-plus.

An 8lb rise to a mark of 77 leaves Farhh Above comfortably in Class 3 for his next start and he looks the sort to rise much higher, especially once he steps up to 1,400m and above.

Secretary setback leaves Cruz short handed for Classic Mile

Euro imports were in the spotlight for differing reasons later on Saturday's card, two stepping forward and another regressing.

Purser (pink cap): was successful for John Gosden and is now winning in Hong Kong under the name Bear SlamCredit: Mark Cranham

Purser was successful for John Gosden in 2018 and is thriving on dirt as Bear Slam in Hong Kong.

A second consecutive Class 3 win under Joao Moreira proved Sha Tin's dirt track suits him ideally, while Preciousship (formerly Riyazan for Michael Halford) took time to adapt in his new home but has struck three times this season after his latest success in Class 2 company completed a Ho double.

The other Gosden import on show at the weekend was Private Secretary, but the outcome was less positive as the impressive Happy Valley debut winner was easy to back and ran accordingly, fading into tenth behind Preciousship.

There were mitigating circumstances for the Kingman colt, who was struck from behind in the home straight, but it's also worth noting that Private Secretary got very worked up beforehand.

He needs to relax and the fact that his name was absent from the Classic Mile entries published on Monday suggests that Tony Cruz is planning a more patient approach than usual.

Lowry seeking more silverware with Theatre Of War

Open champion Shane Lowry shot a final-round 64 to chase home Aussie Wade Ormsby in the rearranged Hong Kong Open on Sunday and is hoping the horse he has a share in as part of the Clara Jug Syndicate can go one better before too long.

Shane Lowry: 'I would have loved to go to Happy Valley but I had an early tee time on Thursday'Credit: Stuart Franklin

Lowry's plans to go racing at Happy Valley last Wednesday were thwarted but his game looked in good shape on the tricky Fanling course at the start of a 2020 campaign which rolls on to Abu Dhabi this week.

"I would have loved to go to Happy Valley but I had an early tee time on Thursday, so it just didn't work out," he said.

"I really enjoy my racing and we have a horse called Theatre Of War with Gavin Cromwell who finished second at Leopardstown over Christmas. He doesn't look a superstar but he ran really well and we hope he might get to Cheltenham."

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