Hong Kong racing tips: Jim McGrath with three Happy Valley fancies for Wednesday

Sunny Star
1.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Amazing One Plus
2.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Toronado Phantom
2.50 Happy Valley
2pts win

Francis Lui can limber up for one of the most important weekends of his training career by saddling progressive Sunny Star to win the Class 2 handicap (1.15), over an extended mile, the feature on the nine-race card at Happy Valley.

Lui, who is sitting fourth in the championship on 23 winners, is preparing the amazing Golden Sixty for an attempt to equal Silent Witness’ record of 17 consecutive wins when he lines up in Sunday’s Group 1 Stewards’ Cup at Sha Tin.

Sunny Star may not be as talented as his illustrious stablemate but he is very able just the same, having already won five of his 18 starts after being bought for £55,000 by Sean Woods at a Tattersalls Breeze Up sale in 2019.

His last run was excellent when he came home strongly for second to Zebrowski in a Group 3 contest over 1m1f at the Valley. This time he drops back in trip, which should prove no problem as he is a three-time, course-and-distance winner, and he will have the services of Alexis Badel.

There is great depth to this race, with Beauty Joy coming here after a win and a good second to Packing Victory, who is destined for better things. CP Brave is another chance, although his wide draw in stall ten is a hindrance, and Savaquin is capable of sneaking a place on his best form.

Amazing One Plus is 0-13 in Hong Kong but he can finally break his duck in the Class 3 handicap (2.15), over an extended mile. Of course, he had more success under the name Hazapour when trained by Dermot Weld to win the Derrinstown Derby Trial at Leopardstown before finishing fifth to Masar in the 2018 Derby at Epsom.

The seven-year-old has taken time to acclimatise but he hinted that he had found a competitive mark in the handicap when rattling home for Zac Purton in a heat of the International Jockeys’ Championship over course and distance last month. Purton has put himself forward to maintain the association.

Conqueror had decent form in Australia, finishing runner-up in the Sandown Guineas in Melbourne. He has not been far away in two runs this season and, significantly, he drops in grade and looks dangerous. Zone D is next best.

Toronado Phantom was an easy winner over course and distance in a lower grade last start but he can continue his winning run in the finale, a Class 3 6f sprint handicap (2.50). He has Majestic Star to beat.

Happy Valley Tote Placepot

12.15
1 Loyal Baby
4 Amazing News

12.45
2 Lucky Archangel
6 Thunderstrike

1.15
2 Sunny Star
6 Beauty Joy

1.45
2 The Runner
4 Excellent Chariot

2.15
1 Amazing One Plus
2 Conqueror

2.50
7 Majestic Star
9 Toronado Phantom

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 bets

Bets can be placed into Happy Valley pools with the Tote, Coral and Ladbrokes. The first race at Happy Valley on Wednesday is at 10.45am.

Happy Valley Wednesday card

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