Luke Middlebrook
Trainer Jamie Richards plays a strong hand across the card at Happy Valley in Hong Kong on Wednesday with two standout three-year-olds.
One of those, progressive three-year-old Magniac looks set to land back-to-back wins in Race 8, the Class 3 1200m Handicap.
Magniac has hit the ground running in Hong Kong after arriving a three-time winner from six in Australia. Finishing a promising third to Beauty Eternal on debut at Sha Tin, he had barrier No 12 to overcome in his next two starts but still performed well for a second-place finish and a close up fifth in a fast-run race.
Richards subsequently switched Magniac to Happy Valley and he was only narrowly beaten a neck into third on his first try, before putting it all together fifth-up in Hong Kong and scoring easily by two lengths.
Winning a trial stylishly in between runs, Magniac gives the impression he has more to offer and can win his way into Class 2 this week.
Two races prior, other three-year-old gelding Seasons Wit will be getting all favours to shed his local maiden tag for Richards in the Class 3 Handicap over 1000m.
Seasons Wit has done little wrong in three Hong Kong starts so far, making an eye-catching run into second on debut in early March before going on to finish a 3.25-length fourth in a fast-run 1000m straight race at Sha Tin.
Third-up at this track and distance, Seasons Wit drew wide in barrier No 10 and stood too much ground on the winner who had the gun run on-pace but charged home late to miss by 0.50 lengths.
Coming into barrier No 3 this time can prove all the difference to his winning chances, while in between runs, he has turned in an impressive barrier trial win and appears primed.
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Vincy looks ready to run a big race in Class 5. This is Yip’s best chance to score a win at Happy Valley for a very long time. Loyal Ambition appears to be one of several winning chances in a wide-open race. Good each-way claims. Classic Archi eased early before going on to make late ground last start for an improved run. Ring Bells will win in this grade very soon and he will be getting his chance. Lucky Missile is a chance on prior good form. Each-way claims.
Race 2: Starry Night will win in this grade very soon. Barrier 2 looks a good opportunity for M Dee to score and early Hong Kong win. Tronic Mighty nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance with some luck from barrier 10. Strive For Glory good effort last start leading all the way to win. He will vie to do the same from barrier 1. Goodmanship has a chance based on past form in this class of race, have to consider at an each-way price. Dragon Kingdom go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay.
Race 3: Diamond Diamond debut run was good and has trained on well since. A few winning chances here but Purton in the saddle for his second-up assignment suggests he’ll be running a big race. Lean Hero will be suited by the rise in distance and can run well. Cordyceps One placed last start and looks a chance to run well again. The low draw provides all hope. To Infinity rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. Chrysos blinkers have been added and can surprise on his second start in Class 4.
Race 4: Another race where not much separates the leading chances. Awesome Treasure narrowly beaten last start and goes close here drawn nicely in barrier 4. Stormtrouper every chance last start but still ran a good race and barrier 2 suits his chances. Lucky Quality can bounce back a winner anytime in this class, expect improvement from barrier 1. Red Desert second start in this grade after dropping in class and could improve with luck from barrier 11. Modest Gentleman had no luck last start but can run a cheeky race here at an each-way price.
Race 5: Lifeline Vision good performance when storming home for third place last start. Barrier 1 could prove the winning factor in a wide-open race. Happy For All caught the eye last start when running home well after copping a check. With luck from barrier 12, he will run a big race. London Luckystar racing in career-best form and must be rated a good chance again. Beauty Mission has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Sun Of Makfi can upset some more fancied rivals on best form. Drawn well low to be a chance on true form.
Race 6: Seasons Wit remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here coming into a much lower draw after being beaten by the barrier last start. Ready to win and hard to beat. Lightning Storm looks a solid good chance based on last start when turning in a good first-up run. Harmony N Blessed was an easy last start winner and must be respected to run a big race again. Atomic Energy rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. Harmony Fire can improve second-up from a break. Gate 1 is a huge advantage.
Race 7: Prime Mortar caught wide last start and covered extra ground before weakening. Barrier 2 should ensure a smooth run in transit and he can bounce back. Exuberant had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. Happy Trio form is good and must be rated a solid chance in a wide-open race. Sight Hero nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance if he has luck from barrier 10. Wood On Fire looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. Barrier 7 is awkward, however.
Race 8: Magniac more than capable of winning again in this race after winning easily here last start. He is a horse on the up and finds another highly winnable race. Hard to beat. California Cible has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Barrier 4 will see him map a big danger to the favourite. Smart Idea bled last start and has been rested but trialled well enough for his return and barrier 1 is ideal. A Americ Te Specso last start winner who rises in class but can measure up. Copartner Ambition good performance when storming home for third place last start.
Race 9: Eighteen Palms blinkers made the difference last run and can go on with it despite the rise in class. Zone D good performance when storming home for third place last start and he’s always a chance in a race like this if he can map well. Jumbo Fortune generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. He’s racing well after a stable change. All Beauty had excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. Rattan Kingdom rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. The wide barrier is the concern though.