Our Hong Kong expert Graham Cunningham takes a look at Wednesday's card at Happy Valley live on Sky Sports Racing.
Numbers add up as Derby picture develops
One by one, the pieces of Hong Kong’s Four-Year-Old Classic Series are falling into place.
Little Paradise leads the pack after storming away with last week’s Classic Mile and NUMBERS is inked in to take him on in the Classic Cup (March 1st) after forging clear of smart older horses at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Frankie Lor’s Aussie import was sent off at 1.7 in in the G3 Centenary Vase and rewarded the faith in style, setting a true gallop over 1800m under Derek Leung then finding a strong kick to forge two lengths clear of the bang-in-form Speed Dragon.
True, Numbers was receiving 9lb from the older runner-up, but his new mark of 100 leaves him just 3lb shy of Little Paradise.
The Classic Cup (1800m) will reveal more but Numbers makes his own luck and looks sure to progress again, especially once he returns to the Derby trip of 2000m. In short, he looks every inch a strong Derby contender.
Atzeni trebles up as Euros shine again
Sunday’s supporting card provided further evidence that the Euro influence in the HK weighing room is thriving at the start of 2026.
Andrea Atzeni excelled in three tight finishes, completing a treble when Flow Water Flow pounced late in the finale, while Harry Bentley and Dylan Browne McMonagle were also on the mark.
Zac Purton drew a rare blank – his first for over a month - but the Aussie has several strong chances at Happy Valley on Wednesday and limbered up for the midweek action by partnering the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising to a runaway Tuesday trial win.
Punters drawn to Bunta
Check out Ka Ying Rising this morning! 😳
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 10, 2026
A record 18th consecutive win in Hong Kong appears at his mercy following this morning's tune up ahead of Sunday week's Group 1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup... 🚀
📍 Sha Tin, 22 Feb | @zpurton | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/WECXaD0tu3
Numbers was the sole bright spot on a disappointing Sunday for File fancies and it doesn’t get much easier at the Valley, with numerous old foes renewing rivalry in a series of tough handicaps.
Bunta Baby finished just ahead of Beauty Thunder when swooping late under William Buick on IJC night in December, while the order was reversed when the pair finished second and third here two weeks ago.
It’s clear there’s little between them but BUNTA BABY will be well suited by the likely fast pace in the 12.40 and his rider Jerry Chau – fresh from a Sunday double – can claim a valuable 2lb as an added plus.
Purton climbed aboard Max Que for the first time at the Valley last month and Mark Newnham’s gelding rewarded strong support in decisive fashion, showing much the best turn of foot in a race run at a steady gallop.
An 8lb hike shouldn’t stop him going close again in the Consensus Cup at 1.15 but it looks like he will be a tight price – probably around 2.2 – and Outgate and Flying Fortress are worth considering with the Quinella in mind.
Bowman taking aim on consistent Meowth
Two horses who dominated the finish to a Class 4 at the Valley on their latest starts return to the city track with solid claims in the 1.45 and 2.15 respectively.
MEOWTH has been in good heart for a while, riding the rail and battling on willingly to chase home the progressive Amazing Kid late last month, and the booking of Hugh Bowman from a fair draw in the Sheung Hei Handicap is another point in his favour.
The handicapper is doing his best to get the measure of Amazing Kid - who has risen from a mark of 41 to 61 after winning three on the spin under Atzeni - but John Size’s gelding still looks fairly treated for his class 3 debut in the Sam Chuk Handicap.
Size and Atzeni link up again when Spirit Of Peace lines up for the finale at 10.50.
This Harry Angel gelding finished just behind three of Wednesday’s rivals, namely Lucky Planet, Perfect General and Symbol Of Strength, over course and distance recently.
Fine margins are at play again, but Spirit Of Peace came home strongly after some minor traffic trouble and a smoother run can see him firmly in the mix this time.
Wednesday’s Valley Views
- 12.40: Bunta Baby
- 1.45: Meowth
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