Hong Kong racing tips: Jim McGrath with three selections at Happy Valley on Wednesday

Storming Dragon
12.40 Happy Valley
2pts win

Chain Of Gold
1.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Chill Chibi
2.50 Happy Valley
2pts win

Zac Purton, fresh from a fleeting visit to Australia, is set to dominate at Happy Valley with an attractive book of eight rides, headed by Chill Chibi in the finale, the Class 2 handicap (2.50), over 1m½f.

Purton rode Hong Kong owner Bon Ho’s Land Legend into eighth place in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup at Flemington, three and a half lengths behind 90-1 winner Knight’s Choice in one of the biggest shocks in the race’s recent history. After flying back overnight, he is now ready to resume normal service on his home patch.

The Danny Shum-trained Chill Chibi is a new ride for the seven-time champion and one on which he can make a difference. The five-year-old is very talented, having put together four wins in a row at the city track last season and finishing fourth in the Hong Kong Derby for apprentice Jerry Chau. But he has not won for nearly a year and connections have gone for a jockey change in an attempt to recapture his old form.

If Purton can get Chill Chibi away smartly from stall nine and find a handy position, he will take a power of beating on a track he prefers. His danger is the in-form Michael Chang-trained Woodfire Bro, who is on a hat-trick of course-and-distance wins.

Purton also has an excellent chance aboard the Jamie Richards-trained Storming Dragon in the feature race, the Class 4 American Club Cup, a 6f handicap (12.40), which looks an ideal opportunity for the six-start maiden to open his winning account.

Although winless, the four-year-old has a record of three seconds, two thirds and a fourth, which underlines his consistency. This is a suitable target and, with an inside draw (two), he should enjoy the run of the race and prove hard to beat.

Andrea Atzeni, another jockey back from Melbourne, where he finished fourth in the Cup on Godolphin’s Zardozi, rides the untapped Beauty Destiny, who could run into a place at good odds here despite his awkward draw in 10.

Another of Purton’s good mounts is Chain Of Gold for trainer Cody Mo in the Class 3 handicap (1.45) in which the gelding attempts 1m1f for the first time. He should run well again and defeat the admirable Noble Pursuit, who has the assistance of Ellis Wong’s 7lb claim.