Good chance for Moreira if he rides after Flemington fall
Clint Hutchison
Hong Kong – The American Club Challenge Cup (Race 5) is the feature event on today’s Happy Valley card and likely favourite Sam’s Love should take a power of beating for the Dennis Yip and Joao Moreira combination.
The talented sprinter has only had three career starts, convincingly winning on debut then overcoming a poor gate and tough run.
On his next two starts over 1400m he had excuses but still displayed well above-average ability and he looks one of the standout bets on the card.
Obviously, considering he is resuming following a break one would need to see some positive signs in his work and he appears to be in fine settle.
Moreira, providing he rides following a race fall at the Melbourne Cup meeting in Australia yesterday, should find the box seat and Sam’s Love can do the rest.
There are two main Exacta options with Fantastic Eight and Smart Boy both making plenty of appeal.
The former hasn't finished out of the first two in seven career starts and this tight circuit might suit his racing style. Smart Boy, with Chad Schofield on board, has been performing well and warrants respect again.
Yip teams up with Schofield and Starlight in the final event. Starlight is bidding for fourstraight wins and there is a great chance he can accomplish that.
He has drawn beautifully in gate No 1 and with the rise in grade he gets in very well weighted.
There is no question this is a tougher field, but he is headed in the right direction.
He is a solid Eachway bet and can be bantered in a Trifecta with Born In China (Dougie Whyte), Super Turbo, Archippus and Spotlight Dream.