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

Speedy Fortune 
12.40 Happy Valley
2pts win

Super Unicorn 
2.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Swift Ascend 
2.50 Happy Valley
2pts win

David Eustace is set to continue his amazing introduction to Hong Kong by winning again with the horse who started it all. Swift Ascend is the one to beat in the Class 3 6f handicap (2.50), the finale on the Happy Valley card. 

First impressions are lasting and Eustace has made an immediate impact with locals. His stable has expanded to 49 horses in recent months and, following a double at the weekend, that number will continue to grow. 

It was perhaps appropriate that the young British trainer’s first winner should be one he formerly trained in Australia in partnership with Ciaron Maher. The five-year-old Swift Ascend, whose sole win there came in a three-year-old maiden handicap in Sydney, looked well handicapped first-up three weeks ago and duly won by just over a length.

Now he has to contend with a 7lb hike in the ratings and a class promotion over the same course and distance. There appears to be plenty of improvement to come, however, and he can go in again from an inside draw (stall two) with Andrea Atzeni aboard.

Zac Purton, who rode Swift Ascend last time, has switched to the Francis Lui-trained Divano, who is 2-5 in his short career and looks the main danger. Another wide draw (12 of 12) makes it tough again for Super Joy N Fun. 

Eustace and Atzeni also have an excellent chance with Speedy Fortune in the Class 5 handicap (12.40) over 5f. The ex-John Size sprinter was beaten a length over course and distance early this month by Double Show, who reopposes on 5lb worse terms but from a wide draw in stall ten. 

Purton’s mount Parents’ Love is a maiden after ten starts but still untapped and has been consistent in the bottom grade. He's dangerous and should be included in multiples with Dan Attack, who races in blinkers for the first time. 

Purton also takes the mount on the ‘good thing’ of the meeting, the Frankie Lor-trained Super Unicorn, who takes a step up in grade when he contests the Class 3 1m½f handicap (2.15). 

The five-year-old was responsible for one of the easiest wins seen at the city track this season when he hacked up by five and three-quarter lengths last time, for which he understandably copped a 12lb rise. He can follow up from stall two, with the talented Helene Warrior his chief rival.

Happy Valley Placepot perm

12.10
5 Circuit Duffy
6 Fatal Blow 

12.40
2 Parents' Love
3 Speedy Fortune

1.10
8 Strongest Boy
11 Ninja Derby

1.45
5 Triumphant More
6 Glory Cloud

2.15
1 Helene Warrior
11 Super Unicorn

2.50
3 Divano
9 Swift Ascend

2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 64 lines

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote. The first race at Happy Valley on Wednesday is at 11.10am.

Happy Valley card

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