Hong Kong Racing Tips: Ting’s sprinter can Breeze to Valley victory
RACING hopefully resumes at Happy Valley in Hong Kong today after last week’s card was cancelled because of political unrest in the territory.
Punters arriving at the inner-city track will be hoping for some respite after Saturday’s meeting at Sha Tin threw up a sequence of surprising results.
Half the winners on the 10 race card returned at double figure odds, while only one favourite obliged late in the afternoon.
Even bettors using their ‘get out of jail free’ cards to follow the fortunes of Joao Moreira and Zac Purton were left disappointed with the ‘deadly duo’ only riding one winner between them.
The Valley serves up its regular recipe of tricky handicaps this afternoon and those searching for an edge may have to look at past statistics to shine a light on potential winners.
Racing takes place on the ‘A’ course, which is the fairest of the seven tracks run on the tight and turning circuit, with gallopers having plenty of room to manoeuvre.
However, past results suggest a low draw is still paramount, especially when the track is riding good to firm, so if a horse can either lead or race up with the pace from the off, it’s even better.
Trainer Jimmy Ting’s contender for the six-furlong dash (12.45pm), TAKINGUFURTHER, has all those credentials and lines up from stall two.
Scheduled to race at the cancelled Valley meeting last week, the progressive five-year-old has strong claims again in a race that should suit his front-running style.
Having showed plenty of determination when winning at the backend of last season, the son of Exceed And Excel is mapped to follow the blistering early speed of rivals Very Rich Man and The Abraxas and then launch his winning challenge down the short home straight.
Another horse who has all the right attributes to cause a surprise is dual course and distance winner GENTLE BREEZE in the Shum Wan Handicap (2.20pm) over five furlongs.
The head of the market should revolve around the likes of Frustrated and the Moreira-ridden Aquila, both of whom are previous course winners and renowned quick starters.
Frustrated looked a smart sprinter when coming home in isolation at the Valley in March, but things haven’t gone according to plan since and with blinkers equipped for the first time he looks a risky proposition.
On the other hand, Moreira’s mount Aquila looks a horse on the upgrade, having overcome the outside draw when winning in July and looking good when winning his prep trial for this contest.
As yet however, he hasn’t beaten anything of note and doesn’t represent great value against some more experienced sprinters.
Speedy bottom-weight Gentle Breeze ran better than his finishing position suggested when sixth on his seasonal run at Sha Tin.
After being badly impeded just after the off, he then proceeded to produce the fastest closing sectionals in the latter stages of the race and would surely have gone close with an uninterrupted passage.
Having won in convincing fashion over the track and trip at the backend of last season, he appeals as an attractive each-way proposition.
POINTERS
Takingufurther 12.45pm Happy Valley
Gentle Breeze e/w 2.20pm Happy Valley