Hong Kong horse racing betting tips: Bullish Brother set to Cruz to victory at Valley
HONG Kong racing returns to Happy Valley this afternoon after a week of respite to allow the grass to grow.
Local racing fans weren’t short of excitement last week though, with Royal Ascot televised live throughout the territory.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club had devised a worldwide betting pool which saw tote pools from ten countries around the globe, including the United Kingdom, Australia, United States, Canada and Hong Kong join forces to produce both bigger pools and better value over the five days at Royal Ascot.
The world pool was obviously a huge success, with around £100million bet across the five days. Fingers crossed the world pool will be used once again on Champions Day at Ascot in October.
Back in Hong Kong, jockey Zac Purton continues to hog the headlines in his relentless quest to overtake Joao Moreira’s record-breaking 170 winners in a season.
Another treble last Sunday saw Purton reach 151 victories, but time is running out. With just six meetings left, he needs 19 wins to equal the record which is a huge task.
With his card marked in seven races on the eight-race card, it would take a brave man to bet against him leaving the inner-city track empty-handed – the last time that happened was over two months ago, but this time even the gods of fortune appear to have turned their back on him.
None of his rides are drawn below six, and despite the ‘B’ course being the fairest of the seven different tracks on the Happy Valley circuit, the reigning champ is going to need plenty of luck to overcome a draw bias which favours low numbers throughout the afternoon.
Purton’s best chances appear to be on a couple of last-start winners who are expected to be well backed.
Hat-trick seeking Le Terroir made the most of an ideal draw when winning at odds-on over course and distance at the end of last month and will be expected to defy his penalty in the 1.45pm over six furlongs.
The petrol tank appeared to be flashing on red in the latter stages of that contest and from an awkward draw he may not be able to give 9lbs to the ultra-consistent BULLISH BROTHER who is ideally drawn in three, and should step out fast and lead all the way.
Purton will also be expected to keep his unblemished record intact aboard Win Win, who will be short odds in the 2.45pm over the extended mile.
The Zac-Man has won twice on the Benno Young-trained gelding this season and a recent impressive trial suggests he is going to be difficult to beat, even with an 8lb penalty.
This time he has an outside draw to overcome though and will probably have to be ridden more patiently than normal.
Lurking near the bottom of the handicap is well-rated FLYING QUEST who looked to be returning to his best when fourth to progressive True Grit over course and distance in May.
He broke the magical 23 second barrier for the final 400m sectional time in that race and now racing from a similar mark he last won from, is capable of returning to winning form.
POINTERS
Bullish Brother 1.45pm Happy Valley
Flying Quest e/w 2.45pm Happy Valley