Luke Middlebrook
Trainer John Size aims to get three-year-old Howdeepisyourlove across the line in first place for the first time when he contests Race 7 at Happy Valley in Hong Kong on Wednesday in the Class 4 1200m Handicap.
Howdeepisyourlove is at his third career start this week and after turning in a nice debut run when third at this track and distance in mid-November went on to run a luckless ninth second-up on IJC night two weeks ago.
On that occasion, he was crowded for room shortly after the start, which resulted in the horse racing back in the field when it was intended to be handy.
Passing the 250m, he had difficulty obtaining clear running and after the 200m, he was checked away from the heels of another runner when badly held up for clear running behind that horse. Howdeepisyourlove was then unable to obtain clear running until passing the 100m – it was a run to forget.
With Zac Purton on from barrier No 1, things should fall into place and he looks all set to land his first career win.
In the final race of the card, the Class 3 1200m Handicap, promising three-year-old Nordic Dragon will be favoured to remain unbeaten when he returns to the races second-up.
Nordic Dragon created a huge impression when winning smartly on debut 28 days ago, sent out a heavily supported market elect and never giving backers a nervous moment as he made all in the running to score easily by 3.25 lengths.
The HK$7 million International Sales Graduate purchase by Starspangledbanner appears to have a ton of ability and looks likely to rise through the grades.
He has to measure up against the likes of Winning Icey, who is suited back to this track and distance and has a sharp turn-of-foot, Excellent Peers, who has won his way atop of Class 3 and Scotch Tycoon could be a big second-up improver with blinkers on for the first time.
Super Fortune, from barrier No 11, is another pace influence in the race.
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Strive For Glory has ability and is always dangerous in this grade. Looks like the one to beat under Purton. Day Day Rich fresh up from a break and should run well from his low draw after he had vet excuses last time. Telecom Missile looks a solid good chance based on last start and from barrier 1, he can map a chance. M M Johnny never far away from the winner and could sneak a place with Bow- man in the saddle. Touch Faith has a great record in this class and must be respected, but he needs luck from out wide.
Race 2: Five G Patch had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. Hit The Shot will be suited by the rise in distance and can run well. The next-best winning chance. Natural Storm has a good record over this track and distance and is always close up, solid each-way chance. Ensured ran the second fastest sectional time last start and is only lightly-raced in Hong Kong, another each-way chance. Lucky Diamond never far away from the winner and could sneak a place.
Race 3: Mr Fun looks a solid good chance based on last start, in which he turned in a promising third place on debut. Drawn wide, but there aren’t many genuine winning chances in this race. Miracles the lightweight will help and can run well in a race such as this. Drawn well low in gate 2, he maps a chance. A Americ Te Specso showed big improvement at a recent trial, so he appears ready to improve on his third career start here. Sight Hero had genuine excuses last start and consider again. Smiling City resuming from a break and the recent trial was okay.
Race 4: Take What You Need nice effort last start when storming home, appears ready to win and coming into a low draw is a massive plus. Flying On The Turf turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly and Purton rides here, looks ready to figure in the finish. Handsome Guys finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start but he can map handier. G One Excellent caught the eye last start when running home well and will be doing the same here. Divine Era looks ready to run a big race in Class 5.
Race 5: Faribault turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly late into second, ready to win again with Purton taking the ride. Happy Golf newcomer who has trialled well for debut on a few occasions. Drawn well low to map a chance first-up. Juneau Flash caught wide last start and still ran well, ready to improve further now. Circuit Seven showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight until the 50m, he can do the same here. One For All best run to date was last start and appears to be improving.
Race 6: Turin Warrior last run suggested a win was very near and he will be getting his chance here coming into a lower gate. Millennium Falcon placed last start and looks a chance to run well again, especially jumping away from barrier 1. Kyrus Unicorn resuming from a break and not tested in recent trial, looked well. Lucky Gold looks a solid good chance based on last start. Killer Instinct every chance last start but still ran a good race and he should be finishing close up again.
Race 7: Howdeepisyourlove had genuine excuses last start, facing hard luck on several occasions, and can improve in this race from barrier 1 and with Purton in the saddle. H Z Tourbillon had genuine excuses last start when caught wide. Sixth Generation simply had no luck last start and overlook the run, big chance to improve with clean air. Hercules form is good and must be rated a solid chance from his low draw. Owners’ Praise good performance when storming home for a nice second last start on debut.
Race 8: Nicconi County flew home late last start and must be respected; the lower draw here can see him bounce back for a win. Red Lion last run suggested a win was very near but he’ll need a decent amount of luck from gate 12. Star Brite form is good and must be rated a solid chance. Leslie rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up now that the penny has dropped. Sky Forever finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and can bounce back anytime.
Race 9: Nordic Dragon created a huge impression at debut and looks talented. This is a much tougher test but he possesses untapped ability and looks one to follow for a fair while. Winning Icey nice four-year-old with a good chance here, he’ll be finishing strongly late. Excellent Peers winner of last two starts and looks a top chance to run well again. Super Fortune should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way, but his stamina might be tested late. Scotch Tycoon important gear change with blinkers being added, expect improvement second-up.