Happy Valley preview and tips: Wednesday, April 24

Racing in Hong Kong is at Happy Valley on Wednesday evening for a nine-race program.

Here is our preview of the meeting.

MORE: Hong Kong Racing News and Previews

Race 1 - Class 3 - 1000m



Nice race to start the night with the Class 3 gallopers lining up over the 1000m. Five of the field of seven raced against each other on March 27 and it was BEAUTY WAVES (1) that saluted that evening. HARMONY FIRE (4) was the exacta horse and was beaten half a length. The Douglas Whyte-trained galloper is 2.5kg better at the weights and can put up a fight but I am inclined to stick with the winner. MAJESTIC EXPRESS (6) is the fresh horse on the scene. The former NSW galloper was sent over after a win at Kembla Grange and comes in with a series of trials. Monitor betting. HEROIC MASTER (2) is a first four contender.

Selections: 1-4-6-2


Race 2 - Class 5 - 1800m



CIRCUIT ELITE (6) can go close in Race 2 after an improved last start effort that saw him finish 3rd at the track and trip on March 20. He was posted wide without cover in that race but stuck on. AMAZING BOY (2) is a sneaky chance and should improve off a last start effort that saw him place 8th over the 1650m. He was fresh off an eight-week break that night and drew wide before getting back and sticking on. The seven-year-old will strip fitter and draws to save ground from barrier 2. BROTHER PEARL (11) is another that draws better and comes into it with any degree of tempo in the race. SPLENDID STAR (1) is a first four contender.

Selections: 6-2-11-1


Race 3 - Class 5 - 1200m



This might be one for TACTICAL COMMAND (2) to chalk up his second career win. The Mark Newnham-trained galloper took some time to get going in his career but his last couple of months have been solid. The four-year-old was a track and trip winner two starts ago and has been running on from wide draws since then, finishing 4th in his most recent race. Zac Purton rides and will look to settle a little closer this time around. VIVA A LA (9) was a dominant last start winner at the track and trip and should be prominent again. He won't be too far away in the run with Matthew Poon to steer. BEAU GOSSE (3) is a 15-start Maiden that placed in three on the trot before being posted wide throughout when 5th behind Super Joy three weeks ago, beaten less than a length. The Douglas Whyte-trained galloper draws perfectly in barrier 4. SWEET DIAMOND (7) is an on-pacer that can stick on.

Selections: 2-9-3-7


Race 4 - Class 4 - 1000m



Not too many of these have been setting the world on fire in recent times. GORGEOUS VITALITY (11) can turn things around on the back of the better barrier and tends to save his best for the track and trip. HIs most recent start yielded a 7th but form out of that has been solid with three winners and he might be the best of a mediocre lot. LEAN MASTER (9) was a dominant winner two starts ago before settling on the speed and dropping out of it late for 5th over the 1000m on March 20. The Dennis Yip-trained galloper might be better ridden a tad quieter. GREAT ACHIEVER (8) wasn't too far away when 6th at the track and trip last time and is another that draws well. MA COMET (1) will find this easier than recent runs.

Selections: 11-9-8-1


Race 5 - Class 2 - 1000m



This is the pick of the nine races with the Class 2 gallopers in action. SEASONS WIT (4) has an excellent record at the track and trip and will appreciate getting back to the 1000m at Happy Valley after running 5th at Sha Tin on April 3. The Jamie Richards-trained galloper just needs to get off to a better start and gets his chance from the low draw. NERVOUS WITNESS (3) is another that gets back to the 1000m and will find this easier after running 7th at Group 2 level behind Lucky Sweynesse over the 1200m on April 7. He was a winner the last time he raced over the 1000m, which was in this grade. Monitor betting for HUMBLE STAR (9). The Pierre Ng-trained galloper closed out his last campaign with two strong wins at the track and trip and is a lightweight candidate with Karis Teetan to ride. HARMONY N BLESSED (7) is a last start winner that will lead and can stick on for a first four finish.

Selections: 4-3-9-7


Race 6 - Class 4 - 1650m



This is a tricky race to assess and there doesn't appear to be much speed in the early to middle stages. PEGASUS GENERAL (4) might be able to sit leaders back from the inside barrier and hasn't been too far away at his past couple of starts. The six-year-old was a close 3rd over the 1800m two starts ago before being tried over the 2200m and sticking on for 5th. The 1650m might suit a bit better and the 2.5kg claim for Angus Chung gets him down to a winnable weight. SNOWALOT (2) generally settles back but has the best last start form with a strong win at the track and trip, while Purton sticks on board. The David Hayes-trained galloper must be considered. VIVA HUNTER (3) generally races well at the track and trip and should be around the mark after a last start 4th at Sha Tin when posted wide the trip. CAN'T GO WONG (10) has finished top four at his past five starts, winning one. Include.

Selections: 4-2-3-10


Race 7 - Class 4 - 1200m



TELECOM SPEED (1) is an each-way player in Race 7. The six-year-old was a track and trip winner four starts ago and comes off a last start 3rd when posted wide throughout. He might push across from the draw and gets the 4.5kg claim for Ellis Wong. HARMONY N HOME (12) is a veteran that has finished runner-up in two of his past three starts. The Danny Shum-trained galloper ran on from the tail to fill the exacta last time and comes into this with six-weeks in between runs. OUR LUCKY GLORY (2) is a last start winner that draws to save ground from barrier 2 and can box seat. He should be around the mark. SIGHT SUPREME (6) is a first starter that comes in with a winning trial and the John Size/Zac Purton trainer/jockey combination must be respected.

Selections: 1-12-2-6


Race 8 - Class 4 - 1200m



GOLDEN LONG (1) can go close in Race 8. The Frankie Lor-trained galloper shows promise and has produced a win and a runner-up finish in his five career starts. They were both at the track and trip. His most recent start was over the 1200m at Sha Tin and their three-year-old was a tad keen early on before running 4th behind James Tak. That form looks good for this and he drops in grade. HIGH PERCENTAGE (4) broke through in style on March 20 when settling handy before scoring by more than two lengths in a race that has produced a couple of winners. He draws to enjoy a similar run from barrier 4 and is another chance on the night for Purton. RIGHTEOUS ARION (2) is another that drops in grade and hasn't finished further back than 5th in his past 15 starts. The Tony Cruz-trained galloper must be considered, despite the awkward gate. THE PERFECT MATCH (5) is worth including after running on late over the 1000m at Sha Tin on debut.

Selections: 1-4-2-5


Race 9 - Class 3 - 1800m



We close off with a Class 3 over the 1800m and going with GALLANT WAKING (1) to end the night a winner. The five-year-old gets out to the distance for the first time and has been running on steadily over the 1650m at his past few starts. Look for him to settle just worse than midfield and he should be strong late in the piece. BERLIN TANGO (2) has not won in over a year but spent most of that time in harder races than this. He has had three runs in Class 3, finishing a close 4th in two of those, while the seven-year-old had excuses when 5th in the other. Pace to come from a couple of these, including EIGHTEEN PALMS (4). He stuck on for 5th at his latest when copping interference. Connections fired off an unsuccessful protest. NOBLE PURSUIT (3) has had one start at the track and trip for a win and might box seat from the inside barrier.

Selections: 1-2-4-3