Wah May Baby taken to win the Australian Turf Club Trophy at Happy Valley
The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s race-by-race analysis of the meeting to be held at Happy Valley tomorrow: RACE 1: ASTER HANDICAP (1) Gracious Ryder returns to Happy Valley for the first time since January. He has run some terrific races here, including a win in June last year. Very Rich Man should be out on the speed, leading the 10-runner field. He is arguably better suited to 1000m, although he has won over this 1200m course and, if he gets a breather at the right time, could win. Pakistan Baby is sure to be around from a good draw. Jumbo Bus is better than what he has shown and is worth including in bigger betting combinations.
RACE 2: ASTER HANDICAP (2) Split Of A Second gets a more favourable draw than recently here, with the inside gate allowing the five-year-old the run of the race just behind the speed. With the weight break afforded by the booking of Matthew Poon, he looks dangerous. Love Chunghwa ran well for second in his last start, albeit finishing way behind Country Star. There is nothing of that calibre in this race and he’s a danger. Burst Away continues to race well but has yet to run a strong race at Happy Valley. Dominator trialed well.
RACE 3: DANDELION HANDICAP Chaparral Star has won two of three since going up in distance. He should appreciate the 1700m at Happy Valley and he can overcome the rise in grade to win again. Captain Boss has been racing consistently without winning and the booking of Zac Purton is significant. Sichuan Boss gets plenty of weight relief and, if he can get a nice trail behind the leaders, could finish strongly. Horse Prosperous has shown flashes of talent at times and should be suited to this course and distance. RACE 4: HIBISCUS HANDICAP Penzance is an eye-catching galloper who was only given a four-point rating rise for his end-of-season win and should be a leading hope again. Holy Unicorn won impressively from the front at his first start for Jimmy Ting last month. With another soft lead here, there is no reason he can’t win like that again. Top Ace finally broke through in his 33rd Hong Kong start and the former Italian might have found confidence. Sweet Bean is always worth including in exotics.
RACE 5: THE AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB TROPHY Wah May Baby is well exposed but he’s at a mark where he should be competitive again. He can jump out and sit on or near the pace, which could prove critical in this contest. Sparkling Sword has been racing well of late. He’s up in the weights, but, in this grade, always rates chance. Bundle Of Energy was scratched at the gates two weeks ago when set to run a big race and there’s no reason why he can’t do that today. Fine With Me can finish strongly.
RACE 6: HYDRANGEA HANDICAP Money Boy didn’t show a lot first-up this season, but last season’s “iron horse” clearly thrives on racing and is in the mix here from a good draw with in-form Karis Teetan aboard. Dragon Pioneer should be able to jump out and lead and can stay on strongly. Bulb Elite might find this a touch sharp but will be closing fast. Storm Signal has been consistent for some time.
RACE 7: ROSELLE HANDICAP Red Warrior looked a horse capable of heading higher with his recent win. He has the outside draw, but in a race with little speed should be able to position handy and will be hard to beat. Top Laurels hasn’t shown much since winning in November last year. However, he has trialed well and fresh might be the time to catch him. Amazing Satchmo continues to race consistently, while Taking Aim will win one of these days.
RACE 8: WARATAH HANDICAP Country Star couldn’t have been any more impressive when winning at his second start. He steps up to Class 3 now and that’s never an easy hunting ground for an early-season three-year-old, but he should enjoy a nice run just behind the speed and this race could see him continue his progression. Little Bird scored his own big-margin triumph at Sha Tin in June, but struggled this season over the straight 1000m. He has drawn awkwardly here but should scoot across to lead and has a winning chance. Grade One and Top Score deserve respect. -