Hong Kong: Happy Valley's Hillier Handicap June 2

Alastair Bull’s Hong Kong winning streak ended at three weeks last Wednesday, but players didn’t go away totally empty-handed as Exuberant finished third. The recommended bets of $22 returned $17.50.

This means that in the past four weeks, bettors who followed the recommended tips will have spent $75 and have pocketed $192.45, a profit of $117.45.

 

A nice barrier draw could be enough to give Hall of Champ the advantage in the Hillier Handicap (1650m, or just over one mile) at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

In an even field, the consistent Hall of Champ has the advantage of drawing barrier 3 on the tight Happy Valley circuit, which should allow Blake Shinn to give him a cozy trip.

Hall of Champ has been in tremendous form, winning two of his last three starts and just failing to catch the exciting Super Ten in the other. He can be expected to be right there again.

His biggest danger is likely to be Beauty Fit. Unbeaten in two Australian starts when known as Barocha, he’s taken a few starts to get used to Hong Kong, but he delivered at Sha Tin on May 16, his fifth race since his arrival. He has the services of Zac Purton, but won’t be helped by his barrier draw of 11 at the 1650m start.

Helene Wisdom Star and Exceptional Nice both have some claims after some solid recent efforts, while Farshad can’t be ignored after finishing no further back than fourth in his four most recent races.

Naboo Star and Gallant Crown look the best of the others.

BEST PLAY

Hong Kong, Race 9 at Happy Valley

• $4 to win, $10 to show: #2 Hall of Champ,
• $1 box quinella: #1 Beauty Fit, #2 Hall of Champ, #3 Helene Wisdom Star, #6 Farshad, #8 Exceptional Nice.

BONUS PLAY

New Zealand, Race 8 at Awapuni, Thursday June 3 (local time)

Free Range put up a nice effort for fourth on debut and should be better for the experience in a fairly weak maiden race.

• $4 win, $8 show: #7 Free Range.