Wednesday 15th April

 

We are still 3 points in profit to level stakes in Hong Kong and as I said last week, racing in Hong Kong is not my speciality but I am just giving it a go, reading the form and handicap. Racing may be different in Hong Kong but they all have handicap marks and all have form.

 

Once again I spent a few hours on this race this morning, so the work has gone in and if you put the work in, you get results.

 

After going through the race in detail, I was left with two horses which I am happy to play both against the whole field.

 

 

 

 

This is a race run on the C Course so is a bit more narrower with the movement of the rail. The draw tends to play an important part when the course is more narrow and the two horses I have come down to are, PRIVATE SECRETARY and RELIABLE TEAM. Both horses ran in the Hong Kong Derby last month so will appreciate this step down to handicap company.

 

PRIVATE SECRETARY was a high class horse in the UK last flat season and was trained by John Gosden. He won 3 on the bounce last summer which included a listed race at Goodwood. On his final start for John Gosden he stepped up to Group 2 company for the King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot, a race won by the classy Japan. He was then sent to Hong Kong in December and got off to a flyer, when winning on his sole start at this course, in good style. His next  few runs were at Sha Tin where he disappointed. I say disappointed but I think he only really dissapointed on his 2nd start Hong Kong which was a handicap, the other two races were hot races, much better than todays and he was outclassed. He is back down in class for a handicap today, at a course where he won on his debut and only run at the course to date. He is drawn in 1 which he can make full use of, given he stays that bit further you would expect him to use his stamina. He is rated 93 by the handicapper which I still think is workable. His trainers horses have been running consistently well in April and Antoine Hamelin is a good jockey, who had two winners at Sha Tin on Sunday. Everything points to a big run and is sure to get involved. 

 

RELIABLE TEAM just loves it around Happy Valley with his form reading 115312. That is a 50% strike rate at the course and is a horse who looks to be improving. He ran a great race in the Derby last time out when coming home 5th of 14 and I am sure he can build on that and go close to get his 4th win at the course. He is drawn in 4 which is a very good draw that he can make full use of. He rated just 91 which again, I think he could be better than that mark. A solid chance and should be involved in the finish.

 

Good Luck and Stay Safe.

 

JPW Racing Tipster