Eighteen Palms hard to oppose at Happy Valley

Luke Middlebrook

There are plenty of even races across Wednesday’s card at Happy Valley in Hong Kong but four-year-old gelding Eighteen Palms looks a standout in Race 6 as he aims to get his first career win when he races second-up for trainer Danny Shum in the Class 4 1650m Handicap.

Eighteen Palms made his racetrack debut at this track and distance on 4 January on the back of a series of barrier trials in which he had showed promising ability. With champion jockey Zac Purton in the saddle on that occasion, the New Zealand-bred son of El Roca sat in third on the leader’s backs, responding well in the straight but with condition telling inside the 50m as his run came to an end.

He was only beaten by 0.75 lengths into third while leaving a healthy gap of 3.25 lengths back to fourth.

Eighteen Palms has since turned in a quiet trial without being extended. Purton remains in the saddle for his second-up assignment and has come up with barrier No 1, from where he should get the gun run in transit and provide him with every winning hope.

One race later, barrier No 4 can provide three-year-old gelding Righteous Arion the perfect run required to score back-to-back wins in the Class 4 1200m Handicap.

The Tony Cruz-trained youngster didn’t show much in his first two starts but improved sharply third-up in January when finishing second. Proving that run no fluke, he ran on strongly again fourth-up into third before putting it all together fifth-up to score a handy win two weeks ago.

Drawn low in gate No 2, the gelding showed his trademark turn-of-foot to score narrowly but impressively. With more upside to come, Righteous Arion strikes another winnable contest this week where he looks hard to hold out.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Shenron can lead in this race and be hard to run down from barrier 1 under the aid of the 4.5kg apprentice claim. Diamond Soars can upset some more fancied rivals on best form and is another on-pace runner who should map well from gate 4. Tronic Mighty narrowly beaten last start and goes close here but barrier 12 is the query. Universal Crown has ability and is always dangerous in this grade, start to follow. Sunshine Legendary has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve. He will relish a hot tempo and can finish over the top late.

Race 2: Sky Gem track and distance specialist and appears suited to get the win here. Wonder Years drops down in grade and start following. He should be highly competitive at this level. Jubilation will appreciate the extra distance and can improve in this race with Purton in the saddle. Loyal Ambition poorly judged ride last start, forget the run and consider again. Fortune Triple had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. He could run a cheeky race.

Race 3: Cheval Valiant can lead in this race and be hard to run down from barrier 4. He will be in for the fight for a long way. Faribault should be highly suited by the drop back in distance after a couple of runs over 1200m. Atomic Energy caught the eye last start running home powerfully. G One Excellent last start winner who rises in class but the stable change has turned his form around. Nicetobemet having third start and may improve here.

Race 4: Ready Player One change of trainer recently and can improve. From barrier 2 under Ho, he should map the winner. Theta Hedge has early speed and can always surprise with the right run. Barrier 3 should ensure an economical run in transit. Sunny Delight ultra-consistent galloper and who can play a part in the finish. Splendid Living showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight after attracting plenty of betting support, consider again. Samarkand down in class in this race and should perform better.

Race 5: Star Ascension had genuine excuses last start and can improve in this race. Victory Scholars has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Barrier 1 and the 10lb apprentice claim should prove him highly competitive. Super Vince had excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race, but barrier 10 might make things tricky this week. See U Again looks a longshot chance in a race like this from a good draw. Sight Hero has a top jockey in the saddle and that will help.

Race 6: Eighteen Palms debut run was good and has trialled well since. From barrier 1, he should get a dream run and looks hard to beat second-up for Shum and Purton. London Luckystar is simply flying after a stable change and now he finds himself back up in class, which is the query but he has been winning easily in Class 5. Smiling Time generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. Gallant Hero a bit erratic and hard to follow but has ability and can surprise. Copartner Era go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay.

Race 7: Righteous Arion well supported last start and won accordingly. He can repeat the dose having drawn well low again. Rattan Kingdom every chance last start but still ran a good race as a beaten odds-on favourite, give him another chance. Flaming Passion drawn well and should gain a nice run in transit. That should help his chances here. A Americ Te Specso improving type and getting close to a win. Son Pak Fu has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon and he will give some cheek up on the pace from an inside gate.

Race 8: Lucky Eight racing well with good sectional time rankings recently while coming into a low draw for once could see him map closer and prove the winning factor. Solid Impact resuming from a break and won a recent trial in likeable fashion, he’s another winning chance. Winning Icey good performance when storming home for a nice second last start and, with the right run, could be hard to hold out. Red Lion has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. California Cible looks a solid good chance based on last start but will need luck from his wide gate.

Race 9: Jumbo Legend ultra-consistent galloper and who will get his chance to score his first win at this distance stepping away from barrier 4. He should get a soft run from there and be too strong late. Gallant Waking had no luck start and could run a cheeky race. Master Tornado improving type and getting close to a win, he has to be considered. Nimble Nimbus good effort when narrowly beaten last start and he is always thereabouts in a finish. Star Contact last start winner who rises in class but can measure up.