Happy Valley’s 10-race card today kicks off at 12h10 and Danny Shum saddles Nordic Dragon – a Hong Kong International Sale graduate – for the HK$1.86 million Class 3 Uranus Handicap with jockey Alexis Pouchin booked.
“He’s going well, but he’s just not in his own form yet, we need to see how he goes,” Shum said.
Danny Shum – could enjoy a good day (Pic – HKJC)
Beauty Destiny (124lb) has been a revelation since Frankie Lor switched up his racing style and the trainer is eager to test the chestnut sprinter in Class 3 this week from barrier one with Andrea Atzeni up in the hotly contested Uranus Handicap.
“He looks like a different horse when he can relax in behind – he always has a strong finish. I think Class 3 is still ok for him if he can do the same thing,” Lor said. “The change of racing pattern has made a big difference.”
The Star Turn gelding broke through at his ninth start in Hong Kong. He has since won twice across his next five outings – each time in Class 4 over 1200m at the city circuit.
“Before he always jumped fast and then when the jockey asked him you could see his tail start swishing and his head would go up, but now he looks better. At least you can save his energy behind horses and he has a strong finish. I think this is good for him,” Lor said.
Trainer David Hayes saddles twice-placed Ka Ying Resilience in the HK$1.17 million Class 4 Venus Handicap with jockey Zac Purton engaged, eyeing a first win with the three-year-old gelding by Blue Point.
“He’s a very natural, precocious speed horse. I think he’s going well enough and I think he’ll end up going through the grades pretty well,” Hayes said.
The bay faces 11 rivals in his bid for a first win. Hayes has six entries at Happy Valley as he aims to enhance his 21 wins after 31 of the season’s 88 scheduled fixtures.
Pierre Ng’s trio Galaxy Patch, Beauty Waves and Taj Dragon trialled on the Sha Tin dirt on Tuesday, finishing fourth, second and seventh in their respective heats. Howdeepisyourlove finished first in the same hit-out as Beauty Waves.
Don’t miss your chance to win big in the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge – get your entry in by 12h05.
