Hong Kong horse racing tips: Gentle Breeze enough for Poon to blow rivals away

CROWDS in Hong Kong will be overjoyed to see their favourite man Joao Moreira back in action in Hong Kong, especially with expensive Christmas festivities coming up.

The Magic Man returns to the city after a three-month absence in Japan and will ride primarily as stable jockey for champion trainer John Size till the end of the season.

Moreira will find the landscape has changed in Hong Kong since he departed to Japan in September.

Jockey Zac Purton may still be looking down from the top of the mountain at his rivals, but it is the local jockeys who have sprung into the limelight while he has been away.

The likes of Vincent Ho, who sits third in the jockeys’ table on 18 wins, Vincent Wong, Dylan Mo and Matthew Chadwick have all impressed with their regular polished riding performances this season, but the standout performer has to be Matthew Poon.

The “Poon Train” as he is fondly known, has already lost his apprentice status, riding 74 winners since arriving in HK back in 2017 and has become a great favourite with the racing public, especially at Happy Valley.

His record of nine wins and 12 places from 55 rides speaks volumes for his capacity to judge the pace around the tricky course, and he is capable of displaying his skill and judgement once again when he partners well-drawn GENTLE BREEZE in the 2.15pm over five furlongs.

This Ricky You-trained gelding was a convincing winner over the track and trip last month and despite being upped in class, receives plenty of weight from his rivals. Poon can do the rest.

POINTERS

Gentle Breeze 2.15pm Happy Valley