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

Me Time
2.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Kaholo Angel
3.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Chill Chibi
3.50 Happy Valley
2pts win

Caspar Fownes is not afraid to back up a horse quickly if he thinks there was an excuse for a previous defeat, which is the case with the useful Kaholo Angel in the Class 3 6f handicap sprint (3.15) at Happy Valley.

Fownes saddled his first winner of the season at the weekend when Family Jewel bounced back seven days after looking unlucky at Sha Tin, and now the same could apply to Kaholo Angel, despite the latter finishing last on his reappearance ten days ago.

It was a classic put-a-line-through run. Apprentice Ellis Wong found it impossible to secure an opening in the closing stages as he was continually blocked for a run, and he had no alternative but to sit up and ease his mount across the line.

Obviously, the four-year-old has taken no harm from that frustrating experience and he can make amends. Just as he did with Family Jewel, Fownes has booked Hugh Bowman to take over. Zac Purton’s mount Healthy Healthy looks the danger.

Danny Shum, making headlines again with Romantic Warrior (a trip to Saudi in February has been mooted), is selected to land the finale, the Class 2 handicap over an extended mile (3.50) with the handy New Zealand import Chill Chibi,  who will be ridden by regular partner Jerry Chau.

Chill Chibi won four races on the trot at the city track last season as a prelude to an excellent fourth in the Hong Kong Derby, so he has plenty of ability. Shum will fit blinkers to the gelding for the first time and it is to be hoped he takes to them better than in a recent barrier trial. 

The Frankie Lor-trained Flamingo Trillion gets in with a light weight, which makes him dangerous, while Helene Feeling, who is comfortably placed in this grade, looks next best in a tricky contest.

Douglas Whyte could land the feature race, the Hong Kong Country Club Challenge Cup (2.45), with the well-bred Me Time, who should relish the 1m1f for which he displayed a liking when second in a similar race in July.

Although a seven-start maiden, the four-year-old is a son of Cracksman and gives the impression he will thrive given time, and providing he is campaigned over the right distance. He is favoured here to beat Forever Glorious, the mount of Andrea Atzeni.

Happy Valley Placepot perm

1.10
3 Gallant Valour
6 Lucky Planet

1.40
4 Parents’ Love
5 Ace Talent

2.10
1 Supreme Agility
2 Simply Maverick

2.45
2 Forever Glorious
10 Me Time

3.15
1 Kaholo Angel
8 Healthy Healthy

3.50
8 Chill Chibi
12 Flamingo Trillion

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote. The first race at Happy Valley on Wednesday is at 12.10pm

Happy Valley card

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