Free betting tips for Wednesday's card at Happy Valley | The Hong Kong File

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Rising runs a hole in the wind as another record tumbles

It was a moment to make you wonder whether the Sha Tin timing system had blown a fuse.

The screen said 66.11s, practically a second faster than his own 1200m track record.

But it was accurate, alright.

And the unstoppable KA YING RISING continues to shred the HK racing record books after his spectacular reappearance in the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup.

True, the track was riding fast on Sunday, and the champion’s five rivals were all way out of the handicap.

But David Hayes’s gelding was a joy to watch under Zac Purton, laying the foundation for his latest demolition job with a blazing 21.15s middle section then cruising home in 21.69s to extend his winning streak to 21.

The HK sprint pool has long been one of the deepest in the world yet this elegant gelding who arrived from NZ a little over three years ago now owns all the five fastest winning 1200m times ever recorded at Sha Tin.

He’s 2-5 to beat the best Australia can throw at him again in The Everest at Randwick on October 17th and even those who feel that he needs to come to Ascot to prove his greatness would have to concede that we are witnessing something very rare indeed.

Show time

Now to the first Happy Valley fixture of the season, with an eight-race card featuring a first HK runner for Aussie handler James Cummings and a notable absentee in Hugh Bowman, signed off for at least two meetings after suffering “significant pain” from a hip problem.

Cummings dips his toe into the water with Day Day Victory, a three-time Valley scorer who has joined him from Michael Chang ahead of his reappearance in the Kowloon Tong Handicap at 2.45

Market support would be interesting but the safe call for this Class 4 is BEAUTY SHOW, who showed fine speed to finish second on three of his five starts last season, shaping as if there should be a bit more to come on his final start when pegged back close home by Jumbo Blessing.

In it to Win it

It’s possible to make a fair case for at least half the field in the Central Handicap at 2.10, with the unexposed Violet Star and highly consistent Do Your Part both holding clear Quinella potential.

However, CHINA WIN looks worth another chance in this £200,000 Class 3.

Last season ended on a downbeat note for this Kiwi import, with an irregular heartbeat forcing him to miss his engagement in similar company here in May.

A recent AW trial suggests he’s back on song again and the best of his form at this level last term – including a win and several placed efforts at the Valley – gives him every chance of starting a new campaign with another bold effort under Keith Yeung.

Star and Dragon a potent pair

Wednesday’s final race will be fun to watch, with fierce front runners and the reappearing Tycoon Resources, who looked very promising winning his first three starts at the Valley before getting stirred up and running a stinker at Sha Tin on his final start.

Tony Cruz’s gelding looked back in the groove when asserting late in his most recent trial and should have the Wan Chai Handicap at 3.50 run to suit him.

But I’m tempted to take two against the field in the TST Handicap at 3.15 for Wednesday’s final recommendation.

ROBOT LUCKY STAR and LEADING DRAGON are the pair in question.

Robot Lucky Star is still low mileage for the excellent Mark Newnham. He caught the eye several times last season, including when scoring first time out, and the return to 1200m looks ideal after a trial win that suggests he’s come to hand early again.

The Valley question looms large for Leading Dragon as Pierre Ng’s has never run or trialled at the city track and his rider Nichola Yuen is making her debut there, too.

But Yuen has looked very good value for her 10lb claim, not least when winning Sunday’s opening race for Pierre Ng aboard Good Fortune.

Pierre is clearly keen to use Yuen’s valuable 10lb claim again and Leading Dragon, who showed fine speed to make all in a fair race at Sha Tin in June, looks the sort who could adapt to this turning 1200m very well indeed.

Wednesday’s Valley Views

2.10: China Win (EW)

2.45: Beauty Show

3.15: Leading Dragon/Robot Lucky Star

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