Hong Kong: McLucky at Happy Valley June 9

A seven-pound penalty from his last-start victory may not be enough to stop McLucky recording back-to-back victories at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

The son of champion Australian sire Snitzel had plenty of form to back him up when he arrived in Hong Kong. He was group two-placed as a two-year-old in New Zealand when known as Killin, and later that season took on leading Australian sprinter Bivouac, finishing midfield.

Following two victories as a three-year-old in Australia he was sent to Hong Kong, and in three starts he has finished eighth, second, and then first. At his most recent start he beat a solid class 3 field after stalking the pace.

With a decent barrier draw of six given his early pace McLucky should be close to the speed, and the five pound claim from in-form apprentice Jerry Chau should see him prominent for a long way.

The ever-consistent Loving A Boom is bound to run well again, though the late-runner invariably seems to find one or two better. With the right passage he could be in the finish, especially if the pace is fast.

Igniting rarely runs badly and is unlikely to be far away, while The Crown and Harmony N Blessed should not be ignored. Sight Success and Harmony N Home look the best of the others.

BEST PLAY

Hong Kong, Race 9 at Happy Valley

$4 to win, $10 to show: #6 McLucky,
$1 trifecta: #1 Igniting, #3 Loving A Boom, #6 McLucky/#1 Igniting, #3 Loving A Boom, #6 McLucky/#1 Igniting, #3 Loving A Boom, #6 McLucky, #10 Harmony N Blessed.