The first selection from us at Happy Valley on Wednesday comes in the Class 4 Handicap over five furlongs and the horse that takes the eye is the six year old Fabulous Eight.
The gelding has caught the eye of late having been knocking on the door on both his last two runs over course and distance.
Off a mark of 56 he finished a good second at the track and then up 1lb was an even closer runner up, just going down by a head.
Should be in the frame again off only 3lb higher.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/01/23 | HAP | 5 | Gd | 9-9 | 10 |
| 07/12/22 | HAP | 5 | Gd | 9-8 | 3 |
| 23/11/22 | HAP | 5 | Gd | 9-9 | 6 |
| 30/10/22 | HAP | 5 | Gd | 9-4 | 5 |
| 19/10/22 | HAP | 5 | GF | 9-9 | 6 |
In the next race we are backing Ryan Moore to get on the winners board, riding the smart looking Ai One for trainer David Hayes in the Class 4 handicap over 8.5f.
The five year old gelding has been hard to back in recent weeks, taking along time to find his feet, but last time out over course and distance was a bold second at a big price and off only 1lb higher should back that run up.
Big chance.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31/01/24 | HAP | 11 | Gd | 9-7 | 6 |
| 29/12/23 | HAP | 11 | Gd | 9-9 | 8 |
| 29/11/23 | HAP | 11 | Gd | 8-4 | 4 |
| 29/10/23 | HAP | 9 | Gd | 8-6 | 7 |
| 27/09/23 | HAP | 9 | GF | 8-9 | 5 |
Another Class 4 Handicap comes up, this time over six furlongs and the horse we are siding with is the nicely weighted Sight Hero for David Hayes again.
The four year old two starts ago broke his maiden tag at the 11th time of asking when sporting first time blinkers over course and distance.
Up 5lb in the handicap to that win off a mark of 50 he tried to make it back to back wins at the track and almost did so with a narrow third.
Dangerous off 1lb higher if handling the wide draw.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/01/24 | SHA | 6 | Gd | 9-5 | 9 |
| 23/12/23 | SHA | 6 | Gd | 9-7 | 7 |
| 06/12/23 | HAP | 6 | Gd | 9-9 | 10 |
| 15/11/23 | HAP | 6 | Gd | 9-9 | 4 |
| 01/11/23 | HAP | 6 | Gd | 9-7 | 2 |
Next up is the Class 3 Handicap over 8.5f and the top weighted Amazing One Plus again for rider Zac Purton looks to have a big chance in this grade.
Having been running in Class 2 events for a while and finding it tough, he then finished a fair fourth of 13 at Sha Tin over seven furlongs.
Last time out the gelding was dropped into Class 3 company again over 7f and was a respectable sixth, looking like a step up trip was wanted.
He gets that today and should run a big race at a price.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/04/23 | HAP | 8.5 | Gd | 9-4 | 8 |
| 15/03/23 | HAP | 8.5 | Gd | 9-4 | 11 |
| 18/01/23 | HAP | 8.5 | Gd | 9-4 | 7 |
| 28/12/22 | HAP | 8.5 | Gd | 9-1 | 2 |
| 07/12/22 | HAP | 8.5 | Gd | 9-4 | 5 |
The penultimate selection of the afternoon comes in the Class 3 event over six furlongs and we think Hollie Doyle can land another winner at Happy Valley with Winning Method.
Having won at the track last year she will have huge experience round the tight course this term and teaming up with the consistent Winning Method gives her a big chance.
The five year old was a good third over course and distance two starts ago and then backed that up last time out when placing again from stall 11.
In stall two today, he should go closer.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29/01/23 | SHA | 6 | Gd | 9-0 | 4 |
| 15/01/23 | SHA | 7 | Gd | 9-9 | 6 |
| 11/12/22 | SHA | 7 | Gd | 9-1 | 7 |
| 27/11/22 | SHA | 7 | Gd | 9-7 | 3 |
| 12/11/22 | SHA | 7 | GF | 8-7 | 7 |
The final event of the afternoon at Hong Kong is the 1m1f Class 2 Handicap and the bottom weight Fa Fa looks to be an improving type.
The four year old has been seen winning his last four races over 8.5f at Happy Valley and although stepping up in trip/grade for his outing on Wednesday, he looks to have the most progressive and consistent profile.
Should keep on an upward curve.
