Shum to strike at Happy Valley

Luke Middlebrook

Four-year-old gelding Eighteen Palms looks on track to shed his maiden tag for trainer Danny Shum in Race 3, the Class 4 1650m Handicap at Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

After a series of decent barrier trials, Eighteen Palms debuted at this track and distance in early January with a promising third-place, beaten just 0.75 lengths on that occasion. Subsequently, the El Roca gelding was sent off a well-backed 12-10 favourite at his next start when a little over a month between runs, and had all the favours in the run from barrier No 1.

Looking the winner with only a few strides remaining, he was outsprinted late and went down by a head on the wire.

This week’s race looks an easier task on paper for Eighteen Palms, with many of his opponents needing to find better form, while he should be as fit as a fiddle now that he’s third-up into his preparation.

In Race 8, consistent four-year-old Winning Icey can score a fourth career win when he lines up in the Class 3 1200m Handicap.

Winning Icey has raced seven times this season for two wins and four placings and with two of those minor money cheques being picked up on his last two starts. Drawn widest in barrier No 12 two starts ago, he let down with his trademark turn-of-foot to miss by a head on the line before finishing third in his most recent effort 21 days ago, again missing by the narrowest of margins.

Coming into a lower draw in gate No 4 should ensure jockey Hugh Bowman is able to map beautifully in this week’s race, while with a decent amount of early speed projected, it plays into his hand as he is likely to be too strong for his rivals in the closing stages.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Durham Star fresh up from a break and should run well. He looks to get the race run to suit and be too strong late. Kokushi Musou looks a solid good chance based on last start when blinkers went on first time. Another win is near. Divine Era winner of last two starts and looks a top chance to run well again. Son Pak Fu was an easy last start winner and must be respected again from a low draw. Joy In Joy having third start and may improve here at odds.

Race 2: Typical, open Class 5 with a few good chances. Universal Crown can bounce back a winner anytime in this class and he has drawn well low to get the gun run with a clean jump. Raging Blaze was an easy last start winner and must be respected. Aca Power well supported last start and won accordingly, good chance to run well again for Bowman. Tronic Mighty recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. Day Day Rich good performance when returning to form last start and he can give a sight from his low draw.

Race 3: Eighteen Palms narrowly beaten last start and goes close here. Third-up and in a winnable race, he clearly looks the best winning chance. Big Two fresh up from a break and should run well from his low draw. The next-best winning chance. Proud Dragon good performance when storming home for third place last start in the same race as Eighteen Palms. Should be in the mix again. Fearless Fire looks a solid good chance based on last start and he can give a sight. Samarkand second start in this grade after dropping in class and could improve.

Race 4: London Luckystar last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. On a light weight and from a low draw, he gets his chance to notch a Class 4 win. Kung Fu Tea finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start but a lower draw could see him map handier early. Sunny Baby go on the win two starts ago and give a chance to bounce back here. Baby was eased early before catching the eye late and looks an each-way chance in a race like this. Iron Will best run to date was last start and appears to be improving.

Race 5: Super Vince will win in this grade very soon after an unlucky first run in the grade before drawing wide and catching the eye late last time. This is a winnable race for him. Wind Speeder good performance when returning to form last start and he might be able to go on with it now. Timestorm recent runs have been encouraging and can run well with luck from gate 10. E Universe having second start and can improve with experience. Sight Hero can upset some more fancied rivals on best form and barrier 2 is idea.

Race 6: Rocket Spade looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. The wide barrier will make him earn it, but he is the form choice. Escape Route looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start and he can improve back to this track and distance. Satirical Glory faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape and the low draw suits. Round The Earth caught the eye last start running home powerfully and is on the improve. Tianchi Monster never far away from the winner and could sneak a place from a good gate.

Race 7: Brave Star lightly raced four-year-old who is on his third try in Class 3 and he ran home strongly late last start into seventh, not beaten far. Trialled well since and from barrier 2, he looks a big chance here. Excellent Peers last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss, he can win on true form. Humble Star had genuine excuses last start when caught wide. Yo Beauty has early speed and can always surprise with the right run, especially from barrier 1. Solid Impact last start winner who retains good form and can run well again.

Race 8: Winning Icey overdue for a win and enters this race in good form on the back of two placings here. He comes into a much better draw in gate 4, find a race with plenty of speed on and looks hard to hold out under Bowman. Gold Gold Baby looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. He will get back and be running on as per his usual pattern. Xponential can begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way, but he may have to be used up early. Heroic Master has shown ability and gets his chance to measure up. Roman Turbo last run was better than it reads, he could improve from a low draw.

Race 9: A wide-open Class 2 with some high-class sprinters lining up. Whizz Kid track and distance specialist and appears suited here from barrier 2. Used up early here two starts ago and unsuited at Sha Tin last start. Carroll Street impressive last start winner who remains in the same grade and can run well again. Astrologer nice effort last start when storming home for a brilliant win when on his first start for a new trainer. Barrier 10 is awkward, but he’s in fine form. Handsome Bo Bo go on the win two starts ago and give a chance here. Rock Ya Heart nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance.