Hong Kong Racing Tips: Stay Loyal to Valley punters’ God Moreira
ALL-CONQUERING partnership of trainer Frankie Lor and jockey Joao Moreira are the combination to follow when Happy Valley hosts an exciting nine-race programme starting at 10.45am on Wednesday.
Lor can’t stop saddling winners at present.
Seven wins in the past fortnight, including another winning double at Sha Tin on Sunday, has seen the former assistant to John Size jump straight to the top of the trainers’ leaderboard with 16 victories.
In the same period, the pendulum has swung in favour of Moreira over his arch-rival Zac Purton, with the ‘Magic Man’ booting home seven winners from just 21 rides and looking back to his imperious best.
Lor and Moreira have only combined a dozen times this season but they have an impressive record of four wins and three places and they can improve on that tally with LOYAL BABY in Division One of the Victoria Gap Handicap (11.15am) over the extended mile.
This former Andrew Slattery-trained winner in Ireland has been a slow work in progress since arriving in Hong Kong last season but there was lots to like about his performance over the course and distance last month when runner-up to All Joyful.
On that occasion, after having to be taken back to near the tail of the field from a wide draw, this son of War Command commenced a long three-wide dash before the entrance to the straight and closed off strongly to chase home the winner.
That form merits more than just a one pound rise in the handicap and with his draw in stall seven set to see him hold a position in midfield from the off, he should be difficult to beat.
Moreira, who completed a double at the city-track last week, will be seeking to at least replicate that feat with a host of attractive rides, including back-to-form Wild West Wing in the Mount Gough Handicap (11.45am) over five-furlongs and another Frankie Lor contender, the progressive Savvy Kingman in the Mount Davis Handicap (12.15pm) over nine furlongs.
His highlight ride of the day, however, is when he climbs aboard speedy DROPS OF GOD in the feature race on the card, the Class 2 High West Handicap (1.15pm) over six-furlongs.
Trainer John Size, whose stable is just bubbling below the surface before the expected glut of winners materialise, saddles two in the contest, recent track winner Sight Success and fast-starting Drops Of God.
The fact that Moreira has opted to stay loyal to this son of Mossman, is an obvious pointer to his chances, although the outside draw in the nine-runner contest looks awkward.
Drops Of God does possess an abundance of early speed though and is still capable of leading from the off, so with a first-time visit to the tight turning track expected to play to his strengths he is capable of outclassing his rivals.
POINTERS
Loyal Baby 11.15am Happy Valley
Drops Of God 1.15pm Happy Valley
