Luke Middlebrook
After finishing second in Sunday’s Hong Kong Derby with Galaxy Patch, leading trainer Pierre Ng will head into Wednesday’s programme at Happy Valley with a spring in his step with another quality four-year-old, Beauty Waves, in the Class 3 race over 1000m.
Formerly trained by Douglas Whyte, Beauty Waves will be making his first start for Ng, hoping to breakthrough for his first local win.
Beauty Waves was last seen racing in late January, being used up early and left vulnerable late over 1200m at this track. Eventually, he crossed the line 1.50 lengths behind winner Tomodachi Kokoroe, which has proven to be strong form as time goes by.
Beauty Waves has shown exceptional trial form on three occasions since the stable transfer, indicating he has improved. The Irish-bred finds himself in a winnable race where he gets his chance to emerge victorious.
It could be a big night out for the Beauty Stable, whose chances don’t end with Beauty Waves. In the final race of the night, consistent four-year-old Beauty Infinity seems poised to bounce back for a win in the Class 3 race over 1200m.
The John Size-trained gelding has shown promise after securing two wins and three placings from six starts and was last seen testing his mettle in Class 3 for the first time after scoring a big win at the top of Class 4 one start prior. Despite not winning, there was still plenty to like about his third-place finish, as he had excuses in the run.
Making the first turn he was taken wide and then raced wide without cover from the 700m while the winner and runner-up had perfect runs in transit from lower draws.
Should Zac Purton be able to position Beauty Infinity comfortably early, his chances of bouncing back for a win look high.
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Jumbo Fortune gains a start and looks to get his chance here. Luckless last start when badly held up and consider again. Mr Aladdin improving type and getting close to a win. Maps to get every chance here. Viva Hunter can bounce back a winner anytime in this class and has to be included. Windicator Family down in class in this race and should perform better, start to follow. Gallant Crown looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start, consider again.
Race 2: Sharpen Bright looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Ready to win but can’t stand too much ground early like he did the last time he raced. Romantic Fantasy has shown ability and gets his chance to bounce back for a win here. He can lead and give a big sight. Pegasus General last run suggested a win was very near and should go close under Bowman. Palace Pal last start winner who rises in class but can measure up. Precise Express can bounce back a winner anytime in this class.
Race 3: Wide-open race here. Brother Pearl good performance when storming home for third place last start and has drawn well low from where they have the opportunity to map handier. Can’t Go Wong drops down in grade and start following. Master Of Luck more than capable of winning again in this race. He’s racing well after a stable change. Diamond Diamond looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. Northern Beast placed last start and looks a chance to run well again. A Class 5 win is nearby.
Race 4: Yoda’s Choice holding form with recent good trial and looks well placed to break through for a win on his third career start here. Lucky Quality good performance when returning to form last start and might be able to go on with it. Run Run Cool down in class in this race and should perform better, based on his one-from-one record in the grade. Golden Luck was an easy last start winner and must be respected again. Winning Heart turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly. Dropped a lot in the ratings and is nearing a win.
Race 5: Capital Legend every chance last start but still ran a good race. Give him another chance to here in a wide-open race. Turin Warrior had vet excuses last start and forget the run. Still a long-standing maiden but has been racing well and could be a good bet at a price here. Snowalot needs a fast early speed to produce a big finish. This is the type of race where he can figure. Dragon Star backing up quickly from last week. Begins fast and will try and lead all the way. Comet Splendido down in class in this race and should perform better.
Race 6: Cheer For South placed last start and looks a chance to run well again. He should be in the right position in the run and has shown enough ability to suggest a win is nearby. Our Lucky Glory good performance when returning to form last start. He can reproduce that run, he looks to get good favours here from gate 1. Happy Soul well supported last start and won accordingly and could have points in hand. Country Dancer form is good and is getting close to a win. Ernest Feeling changed stables recently and has improved.
Race 7: A Beauty Waves change of trainer recently and can improve. He has trialled very well on three occasions and should just prove too good here in a winnable contest. Heroic Master turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly. Always a chance in a race like this. Flying High never far away from the winner and could sneak a place. Happy United a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead. Has the form on the board for a race of this nature. Act Of Faith has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. 1200m is better, but he should close off strongly.
Race 8: All Beauty surprise tactics adopted last run when being ridden forward, only fading late. Nearing another win and he looks to get his chance here regardless of how they ride him. Quantum Patch has shown ability and gets his chance to win here. Last run was better than it reads. Tourbillon Prince should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. Show Respect was an easy last start winner and must be respected. Gallant Waking good performance when storming home for third place last start. The apprentice jockey may not suit him, but his form is there.
Race 9: Beauty Infinity every chance last start but still ran a good race and he did have excuses after being taken out wide and racing wide and without cover from the 700m. Deserves another chance here. Captain Win has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Drawn well low and will gain the right run. O’liner looks a solid good chance based on last start. Fashion Legend last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Pleasant Endeavor had excuses last start when racing wide without cover. Barrier 4 should ensure he gain a much better run.