Big names come out fighting in Hong Kong

– A bumper eightrace card to see in the first meeting at Happy Valley for the 2020/2021 season today, and if Sunday’s opener was anything to go by, it looks as though this season is going to be top notch.

Joao Moreira made a roaring start to the season with a treble at the at Sha Tin, while rival Zac Purton, trainer John Size and returning trainer David Hayes claimed doubles.

Race 6 sees the running of the Class 3 1650m, with Hayes sending out Urban Dancer who, so far, is yet to hit the frame in five local starts.

Urban Dancer appeared to be coming into form towards the end of last season and put in a better-than-it-reads ninth at his final race. But since transferring to Hayes, the gelding looks to have improved out of sight if his two barrier trial wins are to go by, but he faces a competitive field in his debut run for the stable.

Purton’s mount Alpha Hedge will be a crowd favourite from his low draw in barrier No 3, and so will Lightning Steed under Moreira. Karis Teetan remains on the in-form Flying Sword, whose form has come to the fore after a stable change to Tony Cruz.

But with a bit of luck in running from barrier No 10, don’t be surprised to see Urban Dancer run his best race yet in Hong Kong.