Hayes runner to shine at Happy Valley

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

The quality five-year-old Tomodachi Kokoroe is well-placed to bounce back to his winning ways in the Class 2 race over 1200m at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

The David Hayes-trained speedster has been a standout performer around the city circuit's 1200m course, posting four wins and two second-place finishes from 11 attempts this season. In his last start, his mettle was tested at Group 2 level, where he was outclassed and weakened to 10th position behind Lucky Sweynesse.

Reverting to his happy hunting ground in Class 2 should make a world of difference to Tomodachi Kokoroe's chances this week, and he enters the race off an impressive barrier trial performance. From barrier No 2, he should get one of the runs of the race.

Elsewhere, in-form four-year-old Beauty Waves can keep the momentum going for leading trainer Pierre Ng as he chases a hat-trick of wins in the Class 3 race over 1000m.

Beauty Waves was formerly trained by Douglas Whyte, under whom he showed potential. However, a change of scenery with a stable transfer to Ng sparked improvement, and he broke through for his first local win at this track and distance two starts back before repeating the feat.

The gelding will have to offset top weight on this occasion but gives the impression he has what it takes to rise in the handicap.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Happy Hero good performance when returning to form last start and trialled well since. Goes well at the track and distance and can be hard to beat from the draw. Go Go Go good performance when storming home for a nice second last start and is improving to a win. Colourful Baron faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape as he was simply used up early. Keen Unity backing up quickly from a good last start effort and can run well again. Green Laser looks a solid good chance based on last start and could be a knockout chance at odds on the light weight.

Race 2: Shinkansen excellent return run last start and looks like a solid chance to bounce back to winning ways second-up. Hard to hold out.Talents Supremo good performance when storming home for third place last start after he was too far back in the run over 1000m at Sha Tin. Drawn well and is back in-form. New Power more than capable of winning again in this race with a good steer. Valhalla looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form, but the wide draw is the concern. So Treasure best run to date was last start and appears to be improving.

Race 3: Courier Magic looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form as he was too far back in the run over 1800m but still closed off well against the race shape. Back in trip suits but the rider will need to stay in touch early. Atomic Beauty was an easy last start winner and must be respected again having drawn perfectly in gate 1 where he will map as the winner. Fighting Machine showed no interest last start, forget the run. Master Tornado showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight. Palace Pal fresh up from a break and should run well.

Race 4: Sweet Smile second start after a quiet run from a wide draw first-up for Size and Bowman. Bowman remains in the saddle second-up here from a low gate and expecting big improvement. Open race, but he appears to be one to follow. Amazing Ace change of trainer recently and watch betting. Purton in the saddle off the back of a decent trial and he looks ready to show something. Lean Master consistent form lately and can score here. Sky Prophet having third start and may improve. Flying Wrote having second start and can improve with experience.

Race 5: Kasa Papa had genuine excuses last start and consider again. He was favoured that night, which was his first start for Cruz, but had vet excuses. Give him another chance here. The Khan last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Packing Wisher best run to date was last start and appears to be improving with racing. Jumbo Fortune follow if sup- ported on the tote. Drawn well low and Purton takes the ride. Can’t Go Wong form is good and must be rated a solid chance, but a wide alley is awkward.

Race 6: Telecom Speed caught wide last start and still ran well into second. Comes into a low gate here and a better run looks likely, which should ensure he is hard to beat. High Percentage winner of last two starts and looks like a top chance to pick up the hat-trick. However, he will need a ton of luck from the gate. Super Sixty had betting support last start and where there is smoke there is fire. He is improving with racing. Wood On Fire good performance when returning to form last start. Golden Link go on the win two starts ago and give a chance here.

Race 7: Beauty Waves more than capable of winning again in this race as he races for a hat-trick of wins here. The has improved since transferring to Pierre Ng’s yard and looks to have plenty of upside. He can win again despite the top weight. Sports Legend had genuine excuses last start and consider again. Drawn wide, so will need a good steer, but he is better than his last-start run. Brave Star faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape. Sugar Sugar has been freshened up since last start and looks well. Heroic Master last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss.

Race 8: Wide-open race here. Giddy Up go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay. Coming into the low draw could prove the major difference between winning and losing if the rider shows early intent and makes use of the gate. Red Hare King nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance with any luck from out wide. Sweet Briar looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Ivy League caught the eye last start running home powerfully after being set a task. Silver Up had excuses last start and forget the run. He can run a race from the low gate.

Race 9: Tomodachi Kokoroe dropping in class and will find this much easier than last start. Back to his happy hunting ground in this class of race stands him out as very hard to beat from the low gate. Gummy Gummy every chance last start but still ran a good race and he goes in as a chance here. Majestic Knight well supported last start and won accordingly and he should be able to figure in the finish again. Harmony N Blessed form is good and must be rated a solid chance, especially from the low gate. Humble Star eased early before going on to make late ground. Each-way chance at odds.