It looks like last chance for Top Ace at Happy Valley
– The Heung Yip Handicap will start the eight-race card at Happy Valley today.
Multimax has been out of the winners’ circle for two years and one would struggle to recognise him as the same horse that once beat Grade 1 winner D B Pin.
If he can jump cleanly with blinkers on for the first time, he is likely to roll on the lead and he may prove hard to run down under those circumstances.
Perfect Choice steps out in Class 5 for the first time and can improve dramatically down in class. Cour Valant carries no weight in the cellar grade. He could be another who takes a massive step forward for his new trainer Manfred Man as can Trendiful in his first start for Jimmy Ting.
Race 2 could be one of the last chances for Top Ace who has proved a bitter disappointment since arriving in Hong Kong, dropping from Class 2 to Class 5 without a victory.
There aren’t too many opportunities left for him, but perhaps he is worth a shot in this spot. Chiu Chow Kid ran well at his first start in Class 5. He gets Zac Purton aboard now and should enjoy this sort of a trip. Dutch Windmill is rarely far away and should be in contention, while Celebration can bounce back after a disappointing first-up effort.
In Race 3 Young Empire returns to the scene of three course and distance wins, the latest of which was fresh last season. He should enjoy a nice run from gate three and in a fairly even race he is one who can put his hand up. Navas will relish getting down to Class 4 again, with a win and a third from two starts in the grade. Matthew Poon’s 2kg claim only helps his cause and he is the main danger. Universal Go Go has drawn wide but looks capable of progressing on a first-up win. Raichu is a threat down in the weights.
Country Star, in Race 4, ran very well on debut for fourth. It is very difficult to perform as well as that on debut over the Happy Valley 1000m and, with the step up to 1200m now and a good draw, will be very hard to beat. Naboo Star has trialled very nicely ahead of his first start, including a flashing effort from last at this course. He’s worth watching. Winning Supreme will be in front for a long way and can’t be overlooked. Peace N Prosperity is not without claims.
Race 5 sees Red Warrior, who ran well at his first Hong Kong start, finishing fourth over 1200m, take a step up in trip This three-year-old, a winner of three from four in the UK when named Rusper, can open his Hong Kong account. Rickfield will find this an appropriate starting point before he steps up in trip. He is a two-time winner in this grade and a good effort here wouldn’t shock. Happy Life has only raced twice in the last 15 months but is worth watching with a run under his belt. Amazing Satchmo was in good form last term and could run a strong race fresh.
If Matthew Poon can get Sparkling Sword out and rolling from gate three he will be though to run down in Race 6. Speedy Wally is at a mark where he is usually consistent without winning. Expect him to be somewhere around the placings. Bundle Of Energy can improve off a decent first-up effort, when he was only beaten a length. Fine With Me creates interest at his first run for Jimmy Ting.
Mighty Maverick steps out for Caspar Fownes for the first time in Race 7. He found form at the end of last season and the stable change should allow him to go higher yet, even now as a seven-year-old. Storm Signal has his hoof on the till and he won’t be long out of the winners’ circle this term. Smart Boy may still need to shed a few points in the ratings but he’s worth including from a good draw. Top Score is next best.
King Opie won impressively first-up and he steps up into Class 3 in the last r ace on the card. Alcari is a consistent type who had a big preparation for a three-year-old. He steps out as a four-year-old for the first time here and, if he’s strengthened up over the off-season, he’s a player here. Starlight has an awkward draw but he’s at a mark where he’s always capable of bobbing up. Blocker Dee is a chance down in grade and back to 1200m.