Love runs deep in Hong Kong

Luke Middlebrook

Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday for a nine-race fixture under the lights where talented three-year-old Howdeepisyourlove is a standout bet on the card.

He has the perfect opportunity to score two wins back-to-back in Race 7, the Class 3 1200m Handicap.

Howdeepisyourlove has been a model of consistency for the John Size stable, missing the top three on just one occasion from his six starts. After winning his first race at start three in a Class 4 1200m Handicap in late December, Howdeepisyourlove took the rise in grade where he measured up without winning instantaneously with a close-up second.

The Deep Field gelding then drew widest and raced with plenty of excuses, but still stormed late into third.

Last start, when drawn well low in barrier No 2, Howdeepisyourlove drew away for an easy two-length victory. He finds another highly winnable race on this occasion, where he meets a moderate Class 3 field, and should take a power of beating once again.

Elsewhere, three-year-old gelding Pachisi appears on song to shed his maiden tag third-up for trainer Jamie Richards when he contests Race 8, the Class 4 1200m Handicap.

Pachisi has shown ability in both runs so far but has had excuses on each occasion. First-up, he was held up from the 250m until passing the 150m, charging home late once clear into third place. Second-up, he drew widest of all in barrier No 12, was slow to begin and found himself on the backfoot at the rear of the field.

Coming with a barnstorming run down the outside, he crossed the line beaten just a neck into second place. Both of those runs were over 1000m and he looks primed for this 1200m third-up, where he looks hard to hold out in a winnable race.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: An even Class 5 contest to kick things off. Dragon Pride has a great record in this class and start to follow. Loyal Ambition should be highly suited by the drop back in distance and can give a sight from barrier 2. Owners’ Star looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start and is generally strong in a finish. Ai One drops down in grade and start following. From barrier 1, he can improve. Smart Cousin generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home.

Race 2: Raging Blaze nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance on the quick 7-day back up. He should be hard to hold out. Ever Force drops in class here and finds a suitable race if he can run up to some of his prior Class 4 form. Inspiring City poorly judged ride last start, forget the run and consider again. Barrier 11 is the concern however. Circuit Splendor placed last start and looks a chance to run well again. M M Johnny narrowly beaten last start and goes close here with luck from barrier 10.

Race 3: A few in-form horses here makes it a competitive Class 4 race. All Is Good is the stand out. He is clearly has a better chance over this distance and expect a better run coming into a low draw and looking well in a recent trial. E Rainbow last run suggested a win was very near and he, too, is a genuine chance. Travel Golf ran the second fastest sectional time last start and is improving. Telecom Speed has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon, he should be there abouts in the finish. Circuit Ten go on his solid previous effort when second-place here.

Race 4: Let’s Do It drawn well here and should be in the finish with Purton back in the saddle. A 21-start maiden, but he will be getting his chance to break through here. Killer Instinct is capable of running a fast final 400m sectional time and he should relish a lower draw for once. Blissful Star drawn well here in barrier 1 and should be in the finish. He should be an improver on his last-start eighth-place. Splendid Living well supported last start and won accordingly, can run well again but won’t be getting as many favours. Gang Of Brothers drawn well low in gate 2, should map well on-pace from there.

Race 5: Plenty of genuine winning chances in this Class 4 1000m dash. G One Excellent racing in career-best form, winning his last two races, and remains the one to beat. Vamos change of trainer recently and can improve, he looks worthy of taking a punt on. Faribault can upset some more fancied rivals on best form, barrier 1 should provide all hope. Cheer For South having second start and can improve with experience. Diamond Soars last start winner who rises in class, can measure up.

Race 6: Holy Power looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form as he comes out of a race where those on-pace weren’t favoured. Purton takes the ride from barrier 3 and this isn’t an overly strong race. River Views best run to date was last start and appears to be improving, he can go on with it. Right Honourable finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and comes into a low draw for the first time in a long while, expect a good run. Legion Of Merit nice horse who is a model of consistency but drawn wide makes it tough. Iron Will backing up quickly from last week, can run well.

Race 7: Howdeepisyourlove looks the one to beat based on current form after scoring his first Class 3 win strongly last start. Drawn well low in barrier 2 again, he looks very hard to take on and should be making it two wins on end. Jumbo Legend well-placed and looks a chance in race like this, he will get back and charge home. You’remyeverything resuming from a break and the recent trial was okay. Pulsar Strider caught wide last start and still ran well. Improving, and gets blinkers on first time here. Helene Feeling newcomer who trialled okay and can run well.

Race 8: Pachisi looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Rising to 1200m third-up looks a big plus and he can get his first win here. Wood On Fire had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. A Americ Te Specso more than capable of winning again in this race with luck from a wide gate. Smokey Bear down in class in this race and should perform better, he can give a sight. Yoo Yoo Knight showed improvement at a recent trial and it won’t come as a surprise to see him run a race.

Race 9: Secret Vision last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Yet to win this season, but Purton takes the ride from barrier 2 and he should be getting all the favours. Nimble Nimbus was an easy last start winner and must be respected to run well again. Star Contact nice horse who is a model of consistency and can be followed up on his last-start win. E Legend rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. Silver Hammer has been steadily improving and do not dismiss, he can run a race from barrier 3.