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

Yee Cheong Spirit
1.10 Happy Valley
2pts win

Lucky Encounter
2.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Romantic Son
2.50 Happy Valley
2pts win

Patience in racing is rare but those possessing even a modicum can be rewarded by remaining faithful to Romantic Son in the finale, the Class 3 6f handicap sprint (2.50), on an interesting nine-race card at Happy Valley.

A week ago, the David Hayes-trained import looked perfectly placed to register his first win locally in a similar heat, only for the threat of a typhoon to force the later races that day to be abandoned.

But Romantic Son gets a second chance in what shapes as a repeat, even down to his main opposition being the same, the David Eustace-trained Young Emperor. The only difference this time is that the draw is reversed — Romantic Son starts from stall nine, Young Emperor jumps from three.

The pair clashed over course and distance last month, with Young Emperor storming home to beat Romantic Son, who now meets his rival 5lb better for a half-length defeat. With reasonable luck in running he can reverse the placings and maintain Hayes’s good recent form.

The trainer is also tipped to take the Class 2 6f handicap (2.15) with the talented Lucky Encounter, with Andrea Atzeni in the saddle. The gelding finished strongly but just failed to nail Copartner Prance last time, going down by a nose. From an inside draw (two) here, he can go one better.

His main threat is the John Size-trained Raging Blizzard, who finished just behind him last time. The five-year-old is reunited with Zac Purton, who partnered him to three of his four wins, and he also has the advantage of being drawn well.

Multiple Sydney champion James McDonald is following his usual pattern of staying on in Hong Kong for a stint that will stretch well into December and he could not be riding in better form, fresh from a record-breaking Spring Carnival in Melbourne and a Sha Tin double aboard Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble at the weekend.

His old friend Danny Shum can provide him with another winner today in Yee Cheong Spirit, in the Class 4 6f handicap (1.10), in which the five-year-old can get off the mark at his fifth race start. He has been remarkably consistent, with two seconds and a third this season. Fun N Glory is his most serious rival, with Telecom Dragon next best.