Hong Kong Horse Racing Tips: Promising Little Bird looking to soar to victory for connections

FOR ONCE the draw won’t play such an important factor at Happy Valley this afternoon, with the ‘B’ track in operation.

This course gives the horses plenty of time to negotiate a clear passage throughout, while the home stretch is the joint-longest at Happy Valley.

Of course, front-running horses with low draws will always have some advantage around this tight-turning track, but a horse with an awkward draw is still capable of overcoming that negative if the jockey is alert when the stalls open.

One horse who will need a quick exit is smart sprinter Handsome Bo Bo with Zac Purton aboard in the 1.15pm over six furlongs.

This three-time winner at Sha Tin is making his first appearance at the Valley, and has drawn an outside number in 10.

His overall form suggests he has plenty in hand over his rivals, but this is a tricky track for sprinters having their first run here, especially against seasoned opposition, and with his odds likely to be cramped, it could be worth looking for better value from the promising LITTLE BIRD.

This lightly-raced but progressive gelding made hot favourite Country Star pull out all the stops in the closing stages when runner-up to the John Size machine over track and trip last month.

Having had to work hard initially from his outside draw on that occasion, he now finds himself starting from a more favourable number.

This should allow him to bounce into the lead from the off and then try and make the 15lb weight concession he receives from the favourite count in the closing stages.

POINTERS

Little Bird e/w 1.15pm Happy Valley