Wednesday racing takes us to Happy Valley in Hong Kong for an exciting nine-race program.
Hong Kong’s biggest stables will all be represented, and some terrific betting contests have materialised.
*All races previewed in AEST.
Travel Datuk is yet to run a bad race this time and is ready to win at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
The Holy Roman Emperor gelding finished a head second here when resuming, filling the minors behind the likes of Sky Show before another tough effort that saw him finish half a length from the winner here a couple of weeks ago.
He looks to be at peak fitness for this race and is drawn to receive a lovely run.
2 Units Travel Datuk
This Is Charisma has returned some competitive efforts recently and is up to winning the second at Happy Valley this week.
The son of Smart Missile flew home to finish a length and a half from the winner here two back but was completely luckless last time, in what was a performance I am happy to forgive.
He’s been up and racing for some time, but his condition has continued to hold up and he can fight out the finish again.
2 Units This Is Charisma
Focus couldn’t have been more impressive without winning his last two starts and gets another chance at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
The Per Incanto gelding was an impressive winner at this track and distance three back and has since finished a close-up second in two subsequent appearances.
He’s rock-hard fit and has the benefit of in-form hoop Karis Teetan aboard again.
4 Units Focus
Total Power has been charged with carrying topweight, but he has continued to improve with racing this time and looms as a live each-way chance on Wednesday.
The Dundeel gelding ran home well to finish fifth in what was probably a better race here last month and I like that his runs have been spaced.
Zac Purton is obviously a big bonus and the horse is drawn to receive a lovely run from barrier 4.
1 Unit E/W Total Power
We The South has returned to the races in excellent condition this time and looks a winning chance again.
The John Moore-trained gelding was an impressive winner at this track and distance when resuming and was probably only undone by having to do too much early when filling the minors second-up.
He responded with another classy win with topweight last time out and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
2 Units We The South
Simply put, Sky Darci doesn’t know how to run a bad race and will be tough to beat in Race 6.
The three-year-old son of Darci Brahma has had just the four career starts for two wins and a close-up second placing, and returned a dominant performance to win here two weeks ago.
Fitter third-up, from the good draw and with Joao Moreira aboard, he is my best bet on the program.
5 Units Sky Darci
Helene Charisma typically keeps his best racing for Happy Valley and with even luck from out wide, will be hard to beat on Wednesday.
The veteran gelding has already had a busy preparation but finished fifth in the Group 1 Champions & Chater Cup two back, before storming home to fill the minors here last time out.
He has a class edge over the lion’s share of these rivals and looks over the odds at around the $10 mark.
2 Units E/W Helene Charisma
Shamport has mixed his form a little this preparation, but his best is certainly good enough to see him winning a race of this quality.
The Shamardal gelding recorded consecutive wins here earlier this prep and was last seen finishing two lengths second behind California Rad, most notably.
He gets in well at the weights, is drawn a peach and is another horse that will have the benefit of Moreira in the saddle.
2 Units E/W Shamport
Victoriam was an impressive winner last time out and looks capable of making it two in a row.
The I Am Invincible gelding rarely returns a poor effort, but his last race was particularly eye catching and I like that Purton has elected to stay aboard.
He can settle in somewhere behind the early pace and will be hard to hold out.
2 Units Victoriam