Always My Folks is knocking on the door for a maiden win and Karis Teetan hopes Michael Chang’s three-year-old is able to make further headway in the Class 4 Hereford Handicap over 1200m at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
Placed in both of his last starts by under a length, Always My Folks – a chestnut gelding by Capitalist – breaks from barrier nine against 11 runners at the city circuit, with Teetan wary of the wide draw but encouraged by the horse’s continued development.
“I’ve worked him after his last run and I feel like he’s improved since then. The draw is going to make it a bit awkward again. But I know him a bit more now and I think it’s going to be competitive,” Teetan said.
Teetan, 35, has ridden 38 winners this season, including Group 1 success aboard Ka Ying Rising and, he has twice galloped Always My Folks in trackwork at Sha Tin since his most recent third placing on 28 May.
“He’s a nice little horse and I thought last time he did it the hard way. He still ran a very good race. He’s enjoying the track and I think his performances have been good there, I’m looking forward to ride him again,” Teetan said.
Harry Bentley seeks consecutive wins with Wrote A New Page, who contests the first section of the Class 4 Lancashire Handicap (1650m) for Danny Shum at the Valley.
“He battled it out and I thought won with a little bit in hand (last start). I think he enjoyed Happy Valley. I didn’t think there was too much concern whether he would handle the track going into that race. I was very happy with the way he handled the track,” Bentley said.
“I think he is lightly raced still and has some improvement.”
Storm Rider was an emphatic victor for David Hayes last start on 4 June by over three lengths and the four-year-old is back in action in the Class 3 Selkirk Handicap (1200m) – assigned barrier No 1 and jockey Hugh Bowman.
“It was great to watch. He had a string of really close seconds and he loves the Valley. He got it all together and won and got the 10 rating points. He’s got a pretty good record – he’s run in the first three in most of his races. I think next season we’ll be able to stretch him out a bit. I’d love to see him over a mile at Happy Valley,” Hayes said.
“He’s got tactical speed and he loves the Valley. His main dangers are up in weights, so he’s not giving a lot of weight away to the hardest ones to beat.”
Aestheticism has proven dependable all term with one win and four top-three finishes for Pierre Ng. Andrea Atzeni hops aboard the New Zealand-bred again in tomorrow night’s Class 3 Renfrew Handicap (1650m) from barrier No 7.
“He’s been running very consistently. Andrea rode him for the first time last start and he finished third. Hopefully this time we can get a better result,” Ng said. “He’s been doing very well at Happy Valley and he just needs the right run, right pacing and he’ll finish off pretty good.”
Second in last season’s trainers’ championship, Ng has 39 wins this campaign and saddles six runners at Happy Valley.
“This season has been a little bit quiet for us. Obviously, last season was great and we’re just waiting for the horses to change over and strengthen for next season,” he said. – Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Triumphant Warrior has produced encouraging efforts at the bottom of Class 4 and looks primed to break through dropping to Class 5. Ragnarr looks capable of scoring anytime in this class and an inside draw should boost his winning chances. So Awesome has regained his form recently and is edging closer to a win. Multidarling has found the line strongly in his last two starts and is well weighted to make his presence felt. Winning Heart scored an easy win two starts ago and could bounce back if he repeats that effort.
Race 2: Flying Wrote highly suited by the drop back in distance, he looks ready to produce an improved effort. Telecom Power the slow pace made him look one-paced visually last start, and he could make amends with a more genuine tempo. Charming Babe down in class and drawn ideally, he could cause an upset as he has done previously. Monarch County will find this field more manageable compared to his recent runs at Sha Tin, but the wide draw poses a challenge. Bling Bling Genius faded in a fast run race after showing early speed last start and could improve with a gentler tempo.
Race 3: Fun Elite boasting a strong record in Class 4 and with Purton aboard, he’s primed for a bold showing. Thunder Prince narrowly missed when facing some traffic issues last start, and with a smoother trip, he could go one better. Super Love with a good turn of foot, he will make a strong late surge if the pace suits. Written Casa appears suited by the drop back in distance and could surprise at odds despite the wide draw. Victor The Rapid showed improvement with a fast-finishing second last start and looks one to follow.
Race 4: A wide-open field where Chain Of Gold should relish the drop in class and shape as a leading contender with Purton aboard. Amazing Award has been in great form of late and looks to get all the favours this time. Good Luck Win a dangerous frontrunner, he could be hard to run down if allowed a soft lead, while the drop in class ticks another box. Galaxy Witness his recent runs have been encouraging and he could bounce back anytime in Class 4. Nebraskan had genuine excuses last start and is worth considering If his odds present value.
Race 5: Seasons Wit rediscovered his former brilliance with an easy win in this class last time, and a double looks within his reach. Parents’ Love possesses tactical speed and is suited by returning to Happy Valley, where his best form lies. Healthy Healthy was far from disgraced last start and should not be overlooked. Eternal Fortune will relish the drop to 1000m and could cause an upset if the race unfolds in his favour. Superb Capitalist has finally drawn a good gate, which could be the key to sparking a surprise.
Race 6: Conrad The Great a 3YO purchase of NZD$750,000, he has trialled well for his debut and looks ready to justify his lofty price tag from a good draw. Never Too Soon found the line well late from a wide draw last start, and with an inside gate, he should secure a spot in the Top 3. Lahore his recent efforts at Sha Tin have been solid, making him an intriguing runner to watch on his Happy Valley debut. Mega Bonus an easy winner last start, though possibly aided by the rain-affected track, he remains a chance. Bits Superstar caused an upset last start and is worth considering if his odds still offer value.
Race 7: California Moxie has won his last two starts in emphatic fashion and looks the standout of the card. Setanta with the drop in rating, he could bounce back anytime in Class 4. Capital Legend stormed home to score a brilliant win last time out and has drawn well to secure back-to-back victories. Wrote A New Page comes off a narrow win in this class and remains a strong chance, given his solid recent form. Supreme Agility caught the eye flashing home late last start and could show further improvement with the drop to Class 4.
Race 8: Romantic Laos near his last winning mark, he looks the type to cause an upset in this field. Stellar Swift let down well from a wide gate last start, and from a better draw, he should map closer to the speed and be highly competitive. Aestheticism always a threat in this class and must be included among the better chances. A Americ Te Specso an underrated galloper, he could cause an upset if they go too hard up front. Sky Trust finished strongly into third last start but the wide draw and heavy weight raise concerns.
Race 9: Storm Rider scored by a clear margin in this class last start and looks primed to go back-to-back, despite a resultant 10-point penalty. Power Koepp has struck a purple patch of form recently and must be included in exotic bets. Dragon Four Seas broke through in Class 3 last time out and could be one to follow with Purton staying aboard. Everstar produced a fair effort last start and could prove to be a value choice. Storming Dragon stormed home into second last start, but needs to cope with another awkward draw.