Lor looks the master at Happy Valley

Luke Middlebrook

Heroic Master stands out as the best bet on Wednesday’s card at Happy Valley in Hong Kong.

Trainer Frankie Lor's four-year-old aims to bounce back to his winning ways when he contests the Class 3 1200m Handicap in the final event on the nine-race card.

Heroic Master arrived unbeaten from two starts in Australia and has continued his good form in Hong Kong after a promising third on debut when he raced wide over 1000m, before shedding his local maiden tag easily second-up. The chestnut drew an outer alley third-up and proved hard to settle throughout, closing off strongly late into third eventually.

Heroic Master has been back to the trials in between runs and looked sharp under Zac Purton, with whom he reunites this week. From barrier No 3, he looks to map ideally as he takes the rise in distance and should be hard to outsprint over the concluding stages.

Purton also boasts a strong chance atop John Size’s progressive four-year-old Act Of Faith, who aims for two wins on end when he returns to Happy Valley in the Class 4 1200m Handicap (Race 5).

Act Of Faith showed little in his debut performance towards the end of November, drawing widest over 1200m at Sha Tin, but came on leaps and bounds at his second career start when heavily backed in the betting and duly saluting as Zac Purton took over the reins.

On that occasion, he travelled strongly just off the pace from a low draw and responded sharply when asked to sprint in the home straight, drawing clear with ease by 1.50 lengths.

Act Of Faith has trialled well in between runs to suggest he's at least held his form. The youngster meets no tougher task in terms of competition this time and looks capable of winning his way up the ratings some more.

Purton sticks with him and they appear hard to hold out again.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Mister Arm showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight. From his low draw, he can give a sight and Bowman in the saddle suits. Flash Famous last start winner who remains in the same grade, remains a top chance. Charizard has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve in a race such as this, especially having drawn well low. Jack Win can improve second-up from a break after an okay first-up run. Beauty Nova backing up quickly from last week, can run well.

Race 2: Loriz looks ready to run a big race in Class 5. M M Johnny narrowly beaten last start and goes close here from barrier No 4 under Bowman. Shenron drawn well low and will get his chance at a return to form from there. Zacian remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here after many good runs recently. Fortune Hero had excuses last start when racing wide without cover, give another chance.

Race 3: Legion Of Merit consistent performer of late and worth considering in a race like this, which is wide-open. Eighteen Palms has been very well prepared with several trials, watch the betting and have to respect with Purton in the saddle. Noble Steed old-timer who is always capable of surprising and he should map a chance from his low draw. Gang Of Brothers showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight. Villa Fionn drops down in grade and start following. If they roll along, he could swamp over the top late.

Race 4: Kung Fu Tea well-placed and looks a chance in race like this. Concerto last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Wide Blue Yonder looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start and looks a good chance with luck from the wide gate. Packing Monkeyking has been steadily improving and do not dismiss. Happy Jai Jai had betting sup- port last start and where there is smoke there is fire. He faded late in a fast run race and can improve.

Race 5: Act Of Faith well supported last start and won accordingly. He has trialled well since and can go on with it. Beauty Mission turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly and the low draw affords him every chance to break through. Glory Bo Bo every chance last start but still ran a good race and he will be giving a good sight here. King Eccellente last start winner who remains in the same grade and can run well again. June Planet well prepared for debut and must be respected.

Race 6: E Brother well supported last start and won accordingly. Drawn well low, he looks to get all the favours in the run again. Shining Fortune more than capable of winning again in this race with some luck from out wide. Yellowfin looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form, he will get his chance. Wind N Grass drops down in grade and start following. On best form, he’s right in this. Top Top Tea turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly on debut, can improve further second-up.

Race 7: Juneau Flash last run suggested a win was very near and he will be getting his chance to break through here. Pachisi new- comer who has trialled well for debut and should be running a race first-up. Faribault well supported last start and won accordingly, can run well again. Fabulous Eight good performance when storming home for third place last start and will be doing the same here. Circuit Seven video replay showed last run was very good.

Race 8: All Beauty had excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. Dynamic Spirit video replay showed last run was very good after he was forced to make a mid-race move. Big chance to improve. E Legend last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss, he can run well from the low draw. Prince Alex is an improving type who is nearing a win. Happy Daily well-placed and looks a chance in race like this, he can run a race at odds.

Race 9: Heroic Master promising galloper who is in good form and should be hard to beat from the low draw. He has trialled ideally in between runs and looks ready for the 1200m. Gold Gold Baby rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. The low draw could be an issue if he gets too far back and finds traffic. Beauty Charge good effort when narrowly beaten last start and will be going close again. Nicconi County every chance last start but still ran a good race. Cobhfield eased early before going on to make late ground, solid each-way claims.