Hong Kong: Hawthorn Handicap at Happy Valley July 7

Equaletta Blitz can overcome top weight and a wide draw in the first Hawthorn H. (1,200 meters or about six furlongs) at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

The Australian-bred son of Equiano has been consistent this season, his one blot on his record when he reared in the gate three starts ago and effectively took no part in the race.

Since then, he has finished a close second to Stock Legend on April 14 and then a close fourth, after he burned a lot of gas early from a wide gate, behind Sparkling Dragon, Loving A Boom, and Exuberant on May 26.

His opposition Wednesday isn't as strong, and with Zac Purton remaining in the saddle, he looks set to overcome his barrier draw (nine) and should be very hard to beat.

The race includes two last-start winners, Simply Fluke and Classic Posh, and both look capable again.

Simply Fluke finished strongly to win his last start, and though he has barrier 10, Jerry Chau should be able to find a path through the field from the rear.

Classic Posh won comfortably last time out June 23, but he has a wider barrier to contend with and may find it harder this time.

Eligere doesn’t know how to run a bad race and should be prominent for a long way, while Harmony N Home and The Runner look the best of the others.

Best play

Hong Kong, Race 7 at Happy Valley

• $4 to win: #1 Equaletta Blitz
• $10 to show: #1 Equaletta Blitz
• $1 box quinella: #1 Equaletta Blitz, #6 Harmony N Home, #7 Classic Posh, #9 Simply Fuke, #10 Eligere

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BONUS PLAY

New Zealand, Race 3 at Ashburton, Thursday July 8 (local time)

Maximus Prime has shown great form since the tracks became heavy this South Island winter and looks capable of handling a rise in class to Rating 74 company.

• $4 win: #5 Maximus Prime
• $8 show: #5 Maximus Prime