Luke Middlebrook
Talented three-year-old Howdeepisyourlove is all set to bounce back to winning ways when he steps out in the Class 2 1200m Handicap in Race 9 at Happy Valley in Hong Kong on Wednesday.
The John Size-trained talent has been a shining light for the stable since making his debut in mid-November, winning three from eight and placing a further four times and he was last seen checking home an eye-catching second place to the rising sprinting star Victor The Winner at Sha Tin 11 days ago.
Howdeepisyourlove will be highly suited back to this track and distance, where currently his best results lie, and his rich vein of form holds him in good stead. He should be hard to hold out in a race where there is ample speed on to suit his style of running.
Elsewhere, progressive four-year-old Romantic Laos can score back-to-back wins when he contests Race 4, the Class 4 1650m Handicap.
The Jamie Richards-trained gelding didn’t exactly set the turf alight in his first two starts since making his racetrack debut in late December, but improved on his third start when badly held up in the straight which paved the way for him to be a winning chance fourth-up.
Drawn wide over 1400m at Sha Tin and with Zac Purton taking the ride, Romantic Laos came with a barnstorming run to score easily by 2.50 lengths on that occasion.
Romantic Laos should be relishing the extra 250m now that the penny has dropped, and he stands out as the best horse going forward.
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Happy Jai Jai drops down in grade and start following. He’s the one to beat as Bowman takes over the reins on the class drop. Hang’s Choice has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Drawn well low to suit. Theta Hedge showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight. He can do the same here and may hold down a place if rated well. Euromissile faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape. Angels Hunter video replay showed last run was very good. Chance to improve.
Race 2: Mr Valiant finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start but barrier 1 can seem him map handier. Kasi Farasi old-timer who is racing in good form and can run well as Purton takes the ride. Snowalot good performance when storming home for third place last start. Barrier 2 enhances his chances. Lucky Quality down in class in this race and should perform better after trialling well in between runs. King Eccellente had genuine excuses last start when caught wide.
Race 3: Stormtrouper can bounce back a winner anytime in this class and from barrier 1 under Purton, he will get all the favours to do so. The one to beat. Telecom Speed recent runs have been encouraging and can run well from barrier 2. Timestorm surprise tactics adopted last run when being ridden forward. From gate 4, he will have options and has been knocking on the door. Super King down in class in this race and should perform better. Scotch Tycoon has a good record when racing with 11-25 days between races and he will also relish the drop in class.
Race 4: Romantic Laos was an easy last start winner and has more to come. He should be making it two wins on end for the in-form Jamie Richards stable. V Chevaliers is back in form and is worth considering from a low draw. Invincible Missile unbeaten in this class and must be a big chance from barrier 2. Gang Of Brothers winner of last two starts and looks a top chance again if he can overcome top weight and an outer alley. Lifeline Vision finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and is improving.
Race 5: King Invincible debut run was good and has trialled well since. Pachisi recent barrier trial was good, suggesting an improved run can be expected as he had vet excuses last start when he pulled up as a roarer. Mr Majestic improving type and getting close to a win, each-way chance in a race like this. Circuit Seven was slow to begin last start but made good ground late. Barrier 1 could see him run a decent race if he jumps cleanly. Momentum Galaxy old-timer who is always capable of surprising when the race is run to suit.
Race 6: La City Blanche last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. The 4YO Series form continues to improve and it comes as no surprise to see Purton jump on here. Celestial Power has a chance based on past form in this class of race and expect improvement off the back of an improved trial. Flying Silver the lightweight will help and can run well on his first try in Class 3. Smiling Time needs to improve on his Class 3 record but is in-form and has a turn-of-foot. Tianchi Monster old-timer in good form, only narrowly beaten last start and goes close here.
Race 7: Son Pak Fu winner of last three starts and looks a top chance to be hard to beat again as he should benefit from a good run from gate 4. Jumbo Legend ran the third fastest sectional time last start for a run that was better than it reads. Jumbo Fortune was eased early before catching the eye late on his first run for a new trainer. Power Koepp down in class in this race and should perform better, but barrier 12 is awkward. Juneau Flash disappointing last start but worth giving another chance here.
Race 8: California Deeply good performance when storming home for a nice second last start, which is becoming the usual. Maybe he needs 1200m but he mostly honest at turning in a strong finish around this course/distance. Mark The Moment has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Seasons Wit every chance last start but still ran a good race, a win is near. Harmony Fire resuming from a break and should be respected from barrier 1 and an improved trial. Gorgeous Vitality is capable of running a fast final 400m sectional time.
Race 9: Howdeepisyourlove smart three-year-old who is the one to beat back to his happy hunting ground but off the back of a solid second to Victor The Winner at Sha Tin. Harmony And Rich change of trainer recently and can improve with blinkers on first time. Rock Ya Heart looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. He has an unfashionable jockey booking but barrier 1 is perfect. Astrologer can upset some more fancied rivals on best form, keep safe at an each-way price. Eason last start winner who rises in class but can measure up