Hong Kong Racing Tips: Size’s improver can be Shining Ace for Rispoli
RACING returns to Happy Valley for an exciting and highly competitive eight-race card after fans witnessed another masterclass from Joao Moreira at Sha Tin on Sunday.
A treble on the dirt means the ‘Magic Man’ continues to hog the headlines in the territory and he now leads the jockeys’ title race by 10 from last season’s champion, Zac Purton.
The Brazilian is on the crest of a wave at the moment having ridden a dozen winners at the last five meetings and is sure to be popular among the locals as he seeks to further cement his position at the head of affairs.
Moreira may be the leading man in Hong Kong at present, but spare a thought for some of the other jockeys who have yet to get off the mark, despite the fact we are 10 meetings into the new season.
The likes of former South African champion Lyle Hewitson and locals Ben So and Alex Lai have yet to visit the winners’ circle, despite finishing placed on a number of occasions.
Hong Kong is a great place for jockeys when the winners are flowing, especially with the astronomical prize money on offer, but it’s a lonely and frustrating location at the other end of the spectrum.
Just above the three winless jockeys sits former two-time champion Italian Umberto Rispoli, who has a solitary winner from just 50 rides.
The popular Italian, who entered the history books back in his native country by riding a record 245 winners in a single season, has suffered some horrendous injuries since joining the jockeys’ roster in Hong Kong back in the 2011/12 season.
Having broken his leg in a couple of places three seasons back, he was remarkably back in the saddle within 10 weeks and riding winners again.
Rispoli hasn’t had much luck this season, finding plenty of photo verdicts going against him on horses starting at double-figure odds.
However, at the Valley today, he finally gets the chance to get his season back on track when he partners the John Size-trained SHINING ACE in the six-furlong Hebe Hill Handicap (1.45pm).
Shining Ace was a comfortable course and distance winner a fortnight ago, but with regular pilot Karis Teetan currently serving a ban, Rispoli gets the leg up.
With a good early pace looking guaranteed, the four-year-old is mapped to get a trouble-free journey, especially from a favoured low draw. With his principle dangers all drawn high he is capable of defying his penalty in comfortable fashion.
Judging by the formbook, it looks near impossible for Moreira to leave the inner-city track empty-handed.
With his card marked in seven of the eight races, he looks certain to ride a number of market leaders and the best advice is to find which of his rides offers the most value.
He renews his partnership with last start winner KING’S TROOPER who seeks to successfully follow up in the Tiu Yue Yung Handicap (1.15pm) over six furlongs.
This won’t be easy with the likes of Purton-ridden recent winner Aurora Pegasus, Top Score and the improving The Abraxas in opposition.
However, judged on last month’s victory, King’s Trooper looks a highly progressive galloper and with a favourable low draw he should go close again.
POINTERS
King’s Trooper 1.15pm Happy Valley
Shining Ace 1.45pm Happy Valley