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

Loveisintheair
12.05 Happy Valley
2pts win

M Unicorn
1.40 Happy Valley
2pts win

Beauty Destiny
2.50 Happy Valley
2pts win

Hugh Bowman can continue his sparkling form with an attractive book of seven rides, headed by the promising Loveisintheair in the 6f handicap (12.05) at Happy Valley.

Bowman is one of several top jockeys to have benefited from Zac Purton and Vincent Ho’s absence due to injury, and this three-year-old can help the former Sydney champion edge closer to the 50 mark in the championship. He is currently two wins short.

Loveisintheair, a son of Street Boss, was purchased for A$230,000 as a yearling and progressed through well-established channels to land in John Size’s stable in Hong Kong. He is brimming with potential.

On his only run, the gelding suffered early interference before rattling home nicely to finish sixth, two and a half lengths behind Dragon Four Seas, over course and distance. It was an encouraging debut, and with better luck in running he can open his account.

David Eustace, whose stable has already grown to 73 horses, took over the training of Accolade Start from Danny Shum earlier in the season, and it is only a matter of time before the five-year-old breaks his duck locally.

He has dropped 25lb in the handicap since his arrival, and his 2-4 record with Patrick Owens before export also featured a second to Godolphin’s useful Silver Knott in the Group 3 Solario Stakes over 7f at Sandown in 2022. He needs a mile, but could still sneak a place here.

Bowman also has excellent prospects aboard the Caspar Fownes-trained M Unicorn in the 1m½f handicap (1.40). The jockey was on board last time when the six-year-old returned to form with a running-on second to Excellence Value in a similar race.

M Unicorn looks well placed to strike here and he should be taken in a forecast with the Cody Mo-trained Flying Fortress, who caught the eye when rocketing home from last to just fail last time.

The closing 6f handicap (2.50) looks a cracking contest, in which Frankie Lor’s Beauty Destiny can register his fifth win in six starts, with old rival Aurora Lady the chief danger. Beauty Destiny, with Andrea Atzeni aboard, will be suited by the anticipated fast early pace and should be finishing strongly.

Happy Valley Placepot perm

12.05
5 Loveisintheair
7  Accolade Start 

12.35
3 Harmony Galaxy
8 Jumbo Fortune 

1.05
4 Parents’ Love
8 Super Sixty  

1.40
1 P M Unicorn
11 Flying Fortress  

2.15
6 Regal Gem
11 Golden Rise 

2.50
3 Aurora Lady
5 Beauty Destiny 

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 10.35am.

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