Jumbo Treasure awaits Happy Valley bettors

Jumbo Treasure burst on to the scene with a smashing first victory last month and trainer Cody Mo’s young talent is aiming to recreate those heroics at Happy Valley in Wednesday’s Class 4 Lusitano Challenge Cup Handicap over 1200m.

Overcoming barrier No 13 last start, Jumbo Treasure exploded to the front under Derek Leung before scoring by a comfortable two lengths at Sha Tin on 30 March. The Written Tycoon gelding steps from gate No 6 this time and will again sport cheek pieces.

“He won well and the gear helped him a lot. He still doesn’t have much experience but he was quite professional. He jumped sharply, went to the front and led,” Leung said. “We’ll do the same again – if someone else wants to lead, we don’t mind and we can just sit to the outside – he can do either.”

Jumbo Treasure carries 4kg more as top-weight with 61.5kg assigned for his debut at Hong Kong’s tight-turning inner-city track. He faces Magniac, Flying Wrote, Sky Cap, Judy’s Great, Big Stride, Rising Phoenix, Magic Beans, New Power, Bienvenue, View All Things and Draco.

“The weight is against Jumbo Treasure but he isn’t a small horse, so I hope he can handle it. The field has more experience in it this time. I think he can keep improving and I hope he can win again,” Leung said.

Leung, 36, has 20 wins this season. He also rides Joyful Life, Strongest Boy, To Infinity, Healthy Healthy and Lean Hero at the Valley. A son of Maurice, Lean Hero (53.5kg) contests the Class 3 Roselle Handicap over 1800m from gate No 3 for trainer David Hayes.

“He had an outside draw (No 9) so we rode him quietly last start. This time, he has a nice draw and the 1800 metres is better for him. I hope he can be a bit closer,” Leung said.

Lean Hero has won four times at Happy Valley. He opposes Money Catcher, Turin Mascot, Beauty Alliance, Fallon, Jumbo Legend, Luck Is Back, Excellence Value, Charity Gain, Chain Of Gold, Northern Beast and Good Luck Win.

Harry Bentley rides Jumbo Legend and said: “If he can just relax and put his head down, which he did last time, then naturally he’s going to conserve that energy for later on when he needs it. Back down to 1800 metres – that’s not going to be an issue.

“I remember him winning over 1200 metres on multiple occasions and flying home. Credit it to the horse he relaxed really well over the 2200 and never gave me a feeling that he wasn’t going stay out the trip.”

Caspar Fownes’ versatile gelding Jumbo Legend has posted wins over 1200m, 1650m and 2200m at Happy Valley across his 35-start career.

Karis Teetan has five wins through April. He pairs with lightly raced Watch This One for trainer Pierre Ng in the Class 3 Kalanchoe Handicap over 1200m. The import was trained by Adam Campton in Australia, where he won smartly on debut at the Gold Coast by an easy two lengths. He has finished fourth in two Hong Kong runs.

“I think he’s going to go out and be really competitive,” Teetan said. – Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Gimme Five making his class 5 debut, he has performed well at the bottom of Class 4 and looks primed to break through, especially with a favourable draw. Hoss has found the line well late in his last three starts, and with Purton aboard, he could finally return to the winner’s list. Island Golden the inside draw suits his positive racing style, and with blinkers removed, he could surprise at value. Glorious Expert his last start on the AWT is best overlooked and he could prove a knockout chance back on turf. Speedy Fortune had genuine excuses last start (raced wide) and can improve with better luck in running.

Race 2: Verbier made all in a fast run race last start and looks poised to secure back-to-back wins in Class 5. Kingly Demeanor will relish dropping to Class 5, where he has already scored twice, and improvement is expected. Super Hong Kong likes to get back and charge home late and can make an impact if the pace suits, though the wide draw remains a concern. Strongest Boy having dropped in the rating, he showed improvement last start and looks one to follow. Joyful Champion appears well weighted to deliver another strong performance after a close second last time out.

Race 3: Incredible Moment a newcomer who has trialled well for his debut, he should run well in this below-par Class 4 field. Fortune Whiskey a proven performer in Class 4, his recent barrier trial was good, suggesting a commendable run can be expected. Prime Mortar has the ability and can upset some more fancied rivals on his best form. Swagger Bro badly held up for the final 250m last start, and with a smoother run, he could make amends. Telecom Power could finally break through if he fully utilises the inside draw.

Race 4: All’s Well let down sharply to finish fifth from a wide draw on debut. From a low draw, he should get every chance to make amends. Thunder Prince has shown improvement since dropping to Class 4 and must be included among the better chances. Plentiful was narrowly beaten last start, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him go one better from a favourable draw. Sight Happy resuming from a break, he has trialled well and is worth considering with Purton aboard. Super Sixty well placed with the apprentice claim, he could cause an upset.

Race 5: Draco has performed honestly in his recent outings at Sha Tin and will find this field more manageable upon his return to Happy Valley. Bienvenue with a more favourable jockey booking, he looks an intriguing runner on his Happy Valley debut. Flying Wrote travelled wide last start, but from pole position this week, that is unlikely to happen again. Jumbo Treasure capitalised on the slow tempo to make all last time out and could repeat the dose under similar conditions. New Power went close to winning in his latest outing, but will need some luck from an awkward draw this time.

Race 6: Ace War finished a slashing third in a slowly run race two starts ago but was the victim of a poorly-judged ride last start. He could make amends with a more measured ride. Sky Vino a dangerous frontrunner, he can hang in there all day if the race unfolds in his favour. Firefoot has not been beaten far in his recent starts and should not be overlooked. Courier Magic with a strong turn of foot, he can make a strong late surge if they overcook it up front. Smart City recorded the fastest final 400m sectional time last start and could sneak into the placings at long odds.

Race 7: Power Koepp finished a solid second last week and from a low draw, he should map closer to the speed and could go one better here. King Of Fighters was used up early in a fast run race last start, and with a better-timed ride, which seems likely with Purton aboard, he should be in the mix. Sugar Sugar good performance when storming home for third place last start. Lucky Eight has shown consistent form in Class 3 recently and must be considered a strong chance. Beauty Infinity may have reached the ceiling of his rating, but a place finish is not out of reach.

Race 8: Youthful Spirits with tactical speed as his strongest weapon, he should find the lead easily from an inside draw and could prove hard to run down. Casa Of Honor finished a solid third on debut despite a wide draw. With a better draw this time, further improvement is expected. Celestial Colours a proven performer at this level, he looks a strong contender with Bowman aboard. Horsepower reuniting with Purton attracts attention and he should not be ruled out, though the wide draw poses a challenge. Sports Legend the drop in distance, combined with the apprentice claim, could spark a surprise.

Race 9: Beauty Alliance appears highly suited by returning to Happy Valley after finding the competition too strong in the Hong Kong Derby last start. Fallon his recent performances suggest he can bounce back anytime in this grade, making him a leading contender here. Good Luck Win it pays to overlook his last start, where he was involved in an early speed battle, and give him another chance. Charity Gain comes off a fast-finishing third and will make his presence felt if the pace suits. Turin Mascot attacked the line strongly late in a slowly run AWT race last time out and could surprise at value.