Dragon to breathe fire at Happy Valley

Luke Middlebrook

Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday with a nine-race fixture under the lights.

Progressive four-year-old Nordic Dragon can bounce back to his winning form in the final race on the card, the Class 3 Handicap over 1200m.

Nordic Dragon burst onto the scene in late November with an impressive all-the-way 3.25-length victory at this track and distance. Defying an 11-point hike in the handicap, Nordic Dragon went on to score on his first Class 3 start second-up when again winning by a decisive margin of 1.25 lengths.

Things didn’t go to plan third-up when he was beaten into eighth as an odds-on chance when rising to 1400m at Sha Tin, and he was given some time in between runs before returning to Happy Valley.

However, on his most recent start, he drew widest in barrier No 12 and raced very wide and without cover throughout, weakening to 10th place. He comes into a better barrier this week, has Hugh Bowman in the irons and meets a weaker field, where he’ll get his chance to atone.

Elsewhere, in-form three-year-old Righteous Arion can atone for a last-start defeat when he returns to Happy Valley in Race 2, the Class 4 Handicap over 1200m.

Righteous Arion is a one-time winner and three-time placegetter from his seven career starts so far and is off the back of a narrow last-start defeat at this track and distance 21 days ago. He was only caught in the shadows of the post on that occasion behind Snowalot, who performed well at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Righteous Arion meets a moderate field on this occasion and has drawn ideally low in barrier No 2. From there, he should be able to be in close touch with the leaders and be too strong late if he lets down as he has in previous starts.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Jolly Honour turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly against a slow tempo from a wide draw, nice run and he can go close. Valhalla drops in class and finds a suitable race, start to follow. Our Creed was an easy last start winner and must be respected to repeat the dose. Fiery Flying drops down in grade and can improve. Glorious Lover is capable of running a fast final 400m sectional time and he will be doing his best work late, as usual.

Race 2: Righteous Arion nice three-year-old with a good chance here in a winnable Class 4 contest. From the low barrier, he will be getting all the favours in the run. Harmony N Home had genuine excuses last start when caught wide but that won’t happen here from barrier 1. 728 days between drinks, but will get his chance here under Purton. Compassion Super has ability and is always dangerous in this grade. Beauty Mission consider a good chance with the gear change. Happy Trio form is good and must be rated a solid chance, but the wide draw won’t make it easy for him.

Race 3: Atomic Energy improving three-year-old, who was only beaten a head to G One Excellent last start, and getting close to a win. Barrier 2 ensures the right run and he is a leading hope. Sergeant Pepper backing up quickly from a good last start effort and can run well again. Kowloon East Star last start winner who rises in class but can measure up. Glory Bo Bo has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon, and he looked well in a recent trial. Ace Talent showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight, expect the same here.

Race 4: This is an open race with not much separating the standouts. Flying Silver holding form with recent good trial, after an easy last-start win at this track and distance, and looks well. Reach Goal well supported last start and won accordingly and he should be competitive again. Right As Rain video replay showed last run was very good when first-up. He should be better second-up. Perfect To Great good performance when storming home for third place last start. Happy Angel last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss, he can give a good sight here.

Race 5: Flying On The Turf winner of last three starts and looks a top chance to go close to winning again from barrier 2. It’s another winnable race on paper, but he has to show up in the same form. Timestorm improving type who should be included in the chances. Wind Speeder go on solid previous effort when he placed runner-up. Victory Scholars was not disgraced last start when beaten by a very smart horse. Noble One strong trainer and jockey combination and could surprise.

Race 6: Sixth Generation had genuine excuses last start, when ridden too quickly on the lead, and consider again. Ensured racing well with good sectional time rankings recently but barrier 4 should ensure a better run in transit under Bowman. Packing Succeeder more than capable of winning again in this race with luck from barrier 10. Cordyceps One looks a solid good chance based on last start when he returned to form. Viva Popcorn form is good and must be rated a solid chance. Barrier 12 is the concern however.

Race 7: Lucky Eight will be suited by the rise in distance and can run well from barrier 1. He can score an overdue win again. Gorgeous Vitality good performance when storming home for third place last start. He rises to the 1200m for the first time in his career but will be suited from barrier 3. California Cible improving with racing this preparation and getting close to another win. Armour Eagle changed stables recently and has improved and barrier 5 is better for his chances. Majestic Knight consistent performer of late and worth considering, but barrier 11 will prove awkward.

Race 8: This is an open Class 2 race. Savaquin video replay showed last run was very good and he is worth taking a punt on. Packing Award had excuses last start, when blood in the trachea, and forget the run. Telecom Fighters should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. If rated well, he may just fall in. Berlin Tango has ability and should not be underestimated in this grade. Savvy Nine last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Class edge on some of these on true form.

Race 9: Nordic Dragon had no luck last start, when racing very wide throughout, but keep following. Bowman takes the ride for the first time, which looks a big plus. Allgreektome rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. He will need early luck from barrier 10 but seems to have more to come. Here Comes Ted finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and he will relish a true-run race here. Equaletta Blitz can upset some more fancied rivals on best form. Act Of Faith narrowly beaten last start and goes close here. Barrier 5 gives him a slight edge over some others.