Lor to lay down the law

Luke Middlebrook

Hong Kong racing continues on Wednesday with a nine-race fixture at Happy Valley and in the Class 2 1650m Handicap (Race 3), champion trainer contender Frankie Lor can be confident Happy Valley specialist Fa Fa can score an all-important win when he resumes after a short break.

Fa Fa is first-up off a 66-day break and was last seen finishing midfield in the Hong Kong Derby on 20 March.

The six-time winner from 13 starts did contest all three legs of the Four-Year-Old Classic series, but never threatened on every occasion. Fa Fa does his best racing at Happy Valley, especially at this track and distance where he boasts a formidable record of five wins and a second place from six starts, and he will be finding this contest much easier than the four-year-old races.

Stablemate Everyone’s Delight is not without a chance back to a preferred track and distance after failing on the all-weather last time, while the likes of last-start winner Gorytus and honest types Soulmate and Savaquin demand respect.

A change of scenery might just be what the doctor ordered for well-rated five-year-old Al One to shed his local maiden tag when he has his first start for trainer Jimmy Ting in the Class 4 1650m Handicap (Race 6).

Al One has placed in two of his 10 Hong Kong starts, when previously prepared by David Hayes, and was giving the indication a win was near after sliding down the ratings into Class 4 from Class 3.

Now in the care of Ting, Al One makes his return to the races off a four-month break, trialled ideally under Zac Purton who will take the ride from barrier No 3, and strikes an even Class 4 contest where he looks good enough to get the job done.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Beauty Glory should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. He gets Purton in the saddle from barrier 1 and will be getting his chance to win. Dr Winning caught the eye last start when running home well and he is suited by the drop back in distance. Ready Player One had excuses last start, so forget that run. My Ecstatic faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape. Wealthy Delight fresh up from a break and should run well, but his recent trial was only fair.

Race 2: Loyal Ambition improving type and getting close to a win. From barrier 4, he should be mapping ideally under Moreira and getting his chance. Diamond Star racing well with excellent sectional time rankings and the rise to 1800m suits. Prime Star last run suggested a win was very near, he is another good chance. Owners’ Star was eased early before catching the eye late and he can map the winner from his low draw. Foxhunter Way drops down in grade and start following – improvement is to be expected.

Race 3: Fa Fa talented track and distance galloper who is resuming from a break after his 4YO Classic Series tilt. He looked good in a recent trial and will be hard to hold out late. Savaquin looks overdue for a win, after finishing runner-up in his last two starts, and enters this race in good form. Everyone’s Delight resuming from a break and won a recent trial and you can forget his last start on the AWT. Soulmate should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way under Purton. Gorytus more than capable of winning again in this race.

Race 4: Toycoon blinkers have been added and can run well in a race of this nature, which is wide-open with plenty of chances. Our Creed best run to date was last start and appears to be improving, he will map to get his chance under Purton from gate 4. Lotus Favorites drawn well here and should be in the finish under Moreira if they can map handier. Jade Phoenix go on the win two starts ago, when leading all the way, and give a chance to bounce back here. Palace Pal was eased early before catching the eye late last start, but that was on a yielding track. Any rain about will enhance his chances.

Race 5: Cordyceps One had genuine excuses last start and can improve in this race at his second start in Class 5 and with Purton taking the ride. Regency Poet had no luck last start but keep following, he can improve big-time from his low draw. Dassit caught the eye last start when running home well in his first Class 5 run. He will likely race for luck from barrier 10. Ares down in class here and can surprise on best form. Telecom Missile form is good and must be rated a solid chance, but he has drawn wide and that will make it tough.

Race 6: Ai One change of trainer recently and can improve after barrier trialling well under Purton. From barrier 3, he should be get- ting an ideal run and getting his chance to score his first local win. Super Hornet overlook the last start effort as there were genuine excuses and go on his previous solid effort. Regency Master good performance when storming home for third place last start when first-up. Red Brick Fighter could sneak a place in a race like this from his low draw. Fearless Fire looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form, but he will need luck stepping away from gate 10.

Race 7: Excellent Peers improving with racing and getting close to another win and from barrier 1 on Wednesday, the stars look to align and he won’t have many excuses. Jiangxi Stamina generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home, so he’ll be making a strong late bid. Exuberant drops down in grade and start following, he can bounce back anytime at this level. Perfect Peach can improve second-up from a break but has drawn horribly in stall 12. However, he does have early gate speed to use. Handsome Veggie had excuses last start (blood in trachea) - forget the run.

Race 8: Above All racing in career-best form and scored a big win at this track and distance and in this class last start. The query being it was on a yielding surface, which may have flattered the performance. Time will tell! Jazz Steed go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay. Regency Star fresh up from a break and should run well based on a recent trial win. Smiling City form is good of late and must be rated a solid chance from his low draw. Ever Force has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve, he can give a sight from gate 2.

Race 9: Party Warrior has shown ability and gets his chance to win here. He might just relish dropping back to 1000m and from barrier 1 under Purton, should be mapping the winner. Adios newcomer who has trialled well for debut and he has plenty of gate speed and will be giving a sight. Special M has been placed last three starts, beaten by some smart types, and deserves a win soon. Hong Kong Bet resuming from a break and the recent trial win was impressive. Hong Kong Win should be highly suited by the drop back in distance and he can bounce back anytime at this level.