Tuesday 10 December 2019 5:27 pm

Hong Kong Betting Tips: No Racing Luck needed with Ho’s mount in Valley handicap

HONG KONG, CHINA – JULY 10: Horses are seen on the racetrack at the Happy Valley racecourse on July 10, 2019 in Hong Kong, China. The famous racecourse continues to be the center of horse racing in Hong Kong, since 1846 when a group of colonial equestrian enthusiasts decided to have the swamp land reclaimed and made into a racecourse. In 1973 the Hong Kong Jockey Club decided to introduce night racing, the floodlit races were a success, and have become popular amongst the expat and local community alike. Hong Kong is approaching a political crossroads after two months of widespread protests over a proposed extradition bill, which raise more fundamental questions about its relationship with mainland China. Since 1997, when it was handed back to China after 156 years of British rule, it has enjoyed a special status governed by the principle of “One Country, Two Systems.” The arrangement gave Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy over domestic affairs, retaining its independent judiciary, rule of law, free trade and free speech. However, its political candidates must be vetted by Beijing, and in the years since the handover, increased Chinese influence has become a major source of tension. In 2014, hundreds of thousands of protesters occupied the central business district for more than three months calling on changes to the electoral system, in what was dubbed the “Umbrella Movement.” With the proposal of the new extradition bill, many Hongkongers see this as another step by China to assert control and have taken to the streets once again. Faced with the backlash, Hong Kong’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, has insisted the bill is “dead,” but protesters have continued weekly rallies and demanded Lam’s resignation. As protests continue to gather momentum, where they will lead is still unknown – calls for full independence remain scarce – but recent rumblings from China’s military suggest a sustained political storm. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

HAPPY Valley’s extended mile track tests both the adaptability of the horse and the skill of the jockey.

Starting just past the grandstand in front of the noisy beer garden, both horse and rider have to negotiate four bends, with the home straight only just over one-and-a-half furlongs long.

The draw is obviously vitally important, with jockeys not wanting to travel any further than their rivals by getting caught wide, but also mindful that if they race along the rail they need to find daylight before turning into the short home straight.

Triumphant Horse looks an obvious candidate for an ideal journey in the Nightjar Handicap (1.15pm) over the extended mile. He possesses good early speed, is well drawn in stall two and is ridden by in-form jockey Chad Schofield.

However, the negative is that this is his first try over both the track and trip and he bombed out last month over seven furlongs at Sha Tin.

It’s also interesting that his regular pilot Vincent Ho has opted to stay loyal to RACING LUCK, who he rode twice to victory over course and distance last season and produced an encouraging seasonal reappearance when fifth in September.

More importantly, he has trialled twice in eye-catching fashion against Group-rated horses in preparation for this contest and don’t be put off by an outside draw of 11.

He has won both his races drawn from that number and other than Joao Moreira and Zac Purton, no jockey is riding better than Vincent Ho at present.

The main danger looks to be Perfect Glory, representing the all-powerful Purton and Caspar Fownes combination, who steps up in distance again.

Pointers

Racing Luck 1.15pm Happy Valley