Our Hong Kong expert Graham Cunningham previews Wednesday's card at Happy Valley live on Sky Sports Racing.
Rising shines again as Christophe drops the Ball
Ten things we learned from FWD Champions Day.
KA YING RISING is spectacular, a genuine all-time great sprinter and “a real-life Unicorn” in the words of Zac Purton.
David Hayes has half an eye on Royal Ascot 2027, but others in and around the KYR camp may see things differently.
SATONO REVE isn’t in the champ’s league but deserves another crack at Ascot glory this June.
Gallant Champions Mile winner MY WISH won’t win all the big ones he contests but will never fail for lack of trying.
DOCKLANDS has turned into a hardy world traveller for Harry Eustace and picked up a cheeky £263,000 for his gallant third.
ROMANTIC WARRIOR seems as good as ever at an age – rising nine – when most star Flat horses are starting to lose a step.
ROYAL CHAMPION and SOSIE had no excuses in the QEII but ran well to make the frame.
Lemaire dropped the ball on MASQUERADE BALL, who came home almost as fast as Ka Ying Rising for second having been given a huge amount to do in a sit-sprint.
This year’s King George will be all the richer if last year’s Japan Cup runner-up heads to Ascot for a rematch with Calandagan.
And as the global spotlight turns to Britain’s spring and summer showpieces, there is still little to beat high-class Flat racing when done as it was at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Dude and a pair of Kings to shine at the Valley
The HK spotlight switches back to Happy Valley this Wednesday for a nine-race card that lacks Joao Moreira – away fulfilling a prior booking in Brazil – but features a host of leading Purton prospects.
CROSSBORDERDUDE is one of the Aussie’s strongest chances in the 1.10 and John Size’s gelding has plenty in his favour.
Consistent and progressive in six Sha Tin starts, this Kiwi import made his Valley debut three weeks ago and emerged with his reputation enhanced, staying on strongly for third after ending up with a fair bit to do from the home turn.
That experience won’t be lost on him and, with Size going well and a fair draw in 5, he looks bound to go very close in a race where bang-in-form rivals are thin on the ground.
Thunder Prince made it 22nd time lucky in HK at last Wednesday’s Valley meeting, saving every inch from stall 1 under Purton and skipping clear to with emphatically, but a 7lb hike and gate 8 ask a new question as he goes on the quick backup.
Gameplayer Elite finished just ahead of Crossborderdude on his latest start and looks all set to go well again, while SUPERB KING makes even more appeal for Francis Lui and Britney Wong.
Wong is 0-34 in her first season at the Valley, but Superb King is straightforward and speedy. He’s in good heart after chasing home two promising newcomers on his most recent outing and, with Britney’s 7lb claim, he could be tricky to peg back if he bags the lead.
Purton is keeping faith with COLOURFUL KING in the featured Seoul Handicap at 2.45 and the hint could be worth taking.
David Eustace’s gelding tends to hinder his chance with tardy breaks and he’s played second fiddle to the Size-trained Stellar Express a couple of times down the Sha Tin straight this season.
Gate 12 and a wide trip didn’t help when he finished a never nearer sixth over 1200m last time, but the return to the Valley and a promising pace map ought to suit him well.
Youthful Spirits and Bottomuptogether are noted front runners, while the speedy Stellar Express is another likely to push forward despite a high draw.
Wong gets another chance to shine as the unexposed Glowing Praises makes his Valley debut, but Colourful King should be coming home best of all if the pace is fast and the addition of cheekpieces is notable as he bids to add to a solid Valley record.
Wednesday’s Valley Views
- 13.10: Crossborderdude
- 13.40: Superb King
- 14.45: Colourful King
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