Hong Kong: Happy Valley Race 9 for April 21

Be Ready looks ready to continue his winning ways in the Queen’s Road Central Handicap at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

The son of Love Conquers All has raced just twice this campaign, resuming with a fifth-place finish in February before thrashing a useful Class 3 field on March 24.

The victory puts him up seven pounds in the ratings but he looks capable of handling that rise.

Be Ready’s toughest rival looks to be Ever Force. He steps up to Class 3 company after posting consecutive victories in Class 4 company, both with what looked to be a bit in hand.

Leading Hong Kong jockey Zac Purton, who rode both top fancies at their most recent starts, will be riding Be Ready.

Among the most interesting contestants is Lifeline Vision, who runs in Hong Kong for the first time. He won three of his 11 starts in Australia when known as The Lifeline and he should measure up well, though he may want a longer trip.

Two for combinations could be Aurora Pegasus, who hasn’t been far away in his two most recent starts, and last-start winner Goodluck Goodluck.

BEST PLAY

Hong Kong, Race 9 at Happy Valley

• $3 to win: #2 Be Ready
• $6 to show: #2 Be Ready
• $1 box quinella: #2 Be Ready, #6 Aurora Pegasus, #7 Ever Force, #8 Goodluck Goodluck

BONUS PLAY

New Zealand, Race 3 at Tauranga

Isla Jay stepped up to win her maiden strongly on slow going at Matamata last month and she should not be troubled by the step up in class and the heavy track.

• $3 win: #4 Isla Jay
• $6 show: #4 Isla Jay