With only four meetings remaining in an already remarkable Hong Kong racing season, history beckons on multiple fronts.
Zac Purton requires only three more victories to become only the second jockey in Hong Kong racing history after Douglas Whyte (1,813) to ride 1,600 winners or more and, with 166 wins alone so far this campaign, is rapidly bearing down on Joao Moreira’s single-season record of 170 wins.
Vincent Ho has a career-best 92 wins for the term as he attempts to become the first home-grown rider to post a century of wins in a season and John Size, who currently holds a nine-win buffer over Frankie Lor in the trainers’ championship, is on the verge of securing an unmatched 12th title.
As the season approaches its finale, Happy Valley will tonight host the latest in its series of music festivals as part of the Happy Wednesday Beer Garden entertainment. Tonight’s theme is British music and patrons can enjoy tributes to the Rolling Stones, Oasis, Blur and Coldplay.
Next Wednesday (12 July) will feature the Happy Wednesday Season Finale with the ultimate summer carnival, headlined by Chris Polanco and his band. As usual, there are many food and beverage options available as we gather in Happy Valley’s world-famous Beer Garden to enjoy world-class racing.
Our racing focus at Happy Valley on Wednesday night is the Waterfall Bay Park Handicap, which is carded as Race 9 for Class 3 horses at 10.50pm and will be run over 1200m with prizemoney of HK$1,725,000.
The speed in the race will be good with Majestic Knight the most likely leader from gate three. Reward Smile should be behind the leader from gate two, with Lucky Eight and Victory Scholars holding forward positions from their respective draws.
Reward Smile won on debut and then has finished runner-up to promising sprinters Lucky Encounter, Superb Capitalist and Wonder Kit in three subsequent runs. He drew wide and settled midfield before staying on along the rails beaten two-and-a half lengths last Wednesday.
He is on an eight-day back-up here but has a good draw and is a win and place chance with Zac Purton taking the ride again.
Majestic Knight has consistent this season finishing in the top four at all six runs, without winning. At his most recent run, he drove forward from a wide gate to lead and held on well for a close second to Lucky Eight on 22 March.
Majestic Knight has spent time at Conghua since that run and trialled well there before returning. Lyle Hewitson goes back aboard here and he is a place chance.
Lucky Eight won over this course and distance beating Majestic Knight in March and hasn’t been beaten far at three subsequent runs. At his latest he settled on speed and fought on well for a close third to Power Koepp on 31 May. Hugh Bowman rides for the first time and should give the horse every chance from gate four. Lucky Eight is a place chance.
Armour Eagle has drawn the rails here and will be able to race closer to the speed than he has in his recent starts when he hasn’t been beaten far from the placings. He closed well wide on the track at his last start when fifth to Dancing Code at this course and distance on 14 June. Armour Eagle is a place chance at good odds for Harry Bentley.
This is a competitive race to close the card with several horses such as Victory Scholars, California Cible, Wings of War and Brave Star having claims on their best form.
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