Hong Kong Horse Racing Tips: Fat Turtle can cause a splash at Happy Valley
HONG Kong has an abundance of top-class sprinters coming through the ranks.
Champion’s Way, unbeaten in five starts and Aethero, who made a huge impression when winning on his debut, look destined to be racing in Group One company next season.
As does Voyage Warrior, who broke the 55 second barrier over five furlongs last Sunday at Sha Tin.
At Happy Valley this afternoon it will be a major disappointment if newcomer YEE CHEONG BABY isn’t added to that list when he lines up in the five furlong dash around two bends at 3.50pm.
This son of Australian champion sire Sebring raced in Sydney as a two-year-old, winning on his debut and then subsequently finishing second in Group Three company.
He has won both his trials since coming to Hong Kong, both in impressive fashion, including one over course and distance.
He has looked thoroughly professional in all his track work and could be a superstar in the making.
Opposition includes hat-trick seeking Frustrated, who made the most of a couple of good draws to spread out his rivals last month.
With an 11lb penalty for his last win, life will be tougher, and he could also suffer a wide transit with a few speedy types drawn inside him.
Jockey Zac Purton, who partners Yee Cheong Baby, looks set for another successful afternoon.
The reigning champ, who rode a winning treble at Sha Tin on Sunday, has seven rides at the inner-city track and will surely be disappointed if he leaves with less than another treble added to his present 104 winner tally.
Normally at the Valley, horses drawn with double-figure numbers face an insurmountable task, especially in six furlong races where a wide journey looks on the cards.
That’s unless the likes of Purton and Joao Moreira are aboard.
Both jockeys have an uncanny way of either getting their horses relaxed and up with the speed from the off, or are positioned at the back along the rail, waiting to pounce in the home straight.
Purton is reunited again with LE TERROIR in the 1.45pm after the combination couldn’t cope with the strong late finish of Wah May Princess a fortnight ago.
On that occasion, Le Terroir was ridden differently, being up with the early pace when he is best served coming with a strong late dash.
This time from draw 11 expect him to be ridden quietly at the back and then have too much finishing speed for his rivals in the home straight.
It’s a similar story for Purton’s other strong fancy FAT TURTLE who has also drawn 11 in the 2.45pm over six furlongs.
Frankie Lor’s Australian-bred four-year- old has a progressive profile, having won over course and distance on his debut before subsequently finding the smart Champion’s Way too good at Sha Tin last month.
This son of Smart Missile does have an abundance of early speed and is guaranteed to be near the forefront from the start.
Opposition includes promising John Size newcomer Red Desert, the improving Happy Win Win, and dangerous bottom-weight Split Of A Second.
However, Fat Turtle looks destined to rise up in class and it will be a surprise if he doesn’t get back to winning ways.
POINTERS
Le Terroir 1.45pm Happy Valley
Fat Turtle 2.45pm Happy Valley
Yee Cheong Baby 3.50pm Happy Valley