Hong Kong Horse Racing Tips: Son of Frankel to show he’s Simply Brilliant in Group class

A STAR-studded cast lines up for the Group Three January Cup (Handicap) over 1m1f at 1.45pm – Happy Valley’s only Group race.

Hong Kong champion and two-time Group One-winner Time Warp heads the weights and returns to action following a creditable third behind Glorious Forever in the HK Cup on International Day at Sha Tin last month.

Joining him is Group Two Jockey Club Cup victor, and winner of this race last season, Eagle Way, plus Southern Legend, who was twice placed this season behind one of the highest-rated horses on the planet, Beauty Generation.

The most interesting contender is Northern Superstar, a dual Group One-winner in South Africa, including the South African Derby.

This Tony Millard-trained horse has shown distinct promise in two runs in Hong Kong and looks set for a big future in the city.

Lower down in the handicap, the progressive SIMPLY BRILLIANT has already made a big impression in HK, with four wins and five places from just 11 runs.

Formerly known as Senator in the UK when trained by Richard Fahey, this son of Frankel highlighted his three-year-old campaign by finishing a close-up sixth in the Britannia Handicap over a mile at Royal Ascot.

This is his first attempt at this distance, but there is every reason to believe he will stay the trip. He suffered a tough journey after being caught wide, but still showed enough class and determination to outstay some smart opposition over a mile at Sha Tin in November, and has subsequently worked well since.

He can make the most of the 15lbs-plus he receives from his main rivals at the top of the handicap.

POINTERS

Simply Brilliant 1.45pm Happy Valley