Our Hong Kong expert Graham Cunningham takes a look at Wednesday's card at Happy Valley live on Sky Sports Racing.
Five alive as Zac makes a Sagacious choice
Let’s start the midweek File with a visit to Dictionary Corner.
‘Sagacious: having shown an ability to understand difficult ideas and situations and to make good decisions.’
Zac Purton is used to the high-class problem of deciding between multiple options for big races, but has he chosen wisely in selecting Sagacious Life for the first leg of the 2026 Classic Series?
Pierre Ng’s gelding has won two from three in HK and is now rated 97 after a willing Class 2 success last week, but he’s essentially a strong stayer and that type can find life tricky if the Classic Mile gets tactical.
And Purton knows all about the opposition after firing in a Sha Tin five timer on Sunday.
Little Paradise sealed the champion’s stellar Sunday with a decisive Class 2 win over 1400m, while Irish import Beauty Bolt went down fighting behind the Aussie’s usual partner Invincible Ibis as the pair drew clear in a strong Class 3 over a mile.
All three will have plenty to recommend them as Classic Mile candidates and Vincent Ho (Little Paradise) and Hughie Bowman (Invincible Ibis) will be hoping Purton has drawn the wrong rein in selecting the former Brazilian G1 winner for the February 1st showpiece.
Warrior on the march
Romantic Warrior excelled during his 4-y-o campaign, winning the Classic Mile and the Derby in 2022, and Danny Shum’s evergreen star limbered up for a heavyweight Stewards’ Cup clash with Voyage Bubble (Jan 25th) in a smooth Tuesday morning trial session.
Now to a midweek card that showcases Happy Valley’s biggest race of the year.
The January Cup (1.40) carries G3 status with £400,000 in prize money but it looks a very knotty punting puzzle, with three smart last-time-out winners up against several others who’ve been in fine fettle.
Sha Tin scorer Hong Lok Golf will attract plenty of support as he steps up to 1800m for the first time, while the admirable Helene Feeling dead heated with Kaholo Angel over 1650m at the Valley over Christmas and is hard to fault for consistency.
But this is tough.
Caution looks the safe call, though Huge Wave made it a three-way go with Helene Feeling and Kaholo Angel three weeks ago and can go well again at a fair price given that he’s 3lb better off with the pair who shaded him.
Mucho Gusto
Those who gravitate straight towards the skinny ‘uns won’t find things easy on Wednesday – as seven of the nine races look 7-2 the field jobs – and jockeyship and track position will play their usual key roles.
It feels like a low-key punting night at this stage, though LUCKY PLANET, GUSTOSISIMO, SPORTS LEGEND and MIGHTY COMMANDER are worth keeping onside.
Lucky Planet has been showing fine speed against useful rivals of late and that asset gives him a fair win and place chance as he descends to Class 4 against the unexposed Good Luck Happy and Never Settle in the Croisette Handicap at 11.35.
Early market signals suggest hopes that Gustosisimo would fly under the radar for the Cannes Handicap at 2.15 might be wide of the mark.
That said, Tony Cruz’s gelding is back on his last winning mark, with Maxime Guyon aboard for the first time, and the presence of several blazing front runners as he moves down to 1200m should suit him ideally.
Lastly this Wednesday, a swift look at the concluding Saint Tropez Handicap at 2.50.
Purton climbs aboard hat-trick seeking Perfectday for the first time, but I’m not sure Chris So’s gelding is quite as good as he looked when coming from way back to defy stall 12 here last month.
An 8lb hike for his Class 3 bow asks a tougher question and Sports Legend (a commanding winner here recently) and Mighty Commander (in fine form until caught in traffic last time) appeal as a handy pair against the field.
Wednesday’s Valley Views
- 11.35: Lucky Planet (EW)
- 2.15: Gustosisimo
- 2.50: Sports Legend/Mighty Commander
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