Hong Kong Preview: Copartner Fionn set for spotlight

#7 Copartner Fionn looks ready to score a breakthrough victory in the Shing Ping Handicap at Happy Valley April 27.

The son of Redwood won three races in New Zealand when known as Black Forest before heading to Hong Kong, where he has now raced three times. He ran well on debut to finish third at Sha Tin Feb. 20, struggled on a wet track at Happy Valley March 23, before a nice effort for third back at Happy Valley April 13.

From barrier seven, jockey Vincent Ho should be able to find a spot midfield and one off the fence for Copartner Fionn before powering home.

Many of the horses that opposed him on April 13 are back again, among them the runner-up #1 Amazing One Plus and fourth-place finisher #6 Beauty Glory. The latter may well take the lead, and if he can get some soft mid-race sections he could prove hard to catch for Luke Ferraris.

Amazing One Plus settled well back before powering home for second April 13, but could well settle closer to the pace from the No. 1 barrier draw.

#2 Prime Minister benefited from a strong pace to win April 6, though whether he can do so again after going up six pounds in the ratings is yet to be seen. Another last-start winner is #3 Invincible Missile, who hasn’t raced since his victory Feb. 9; he won’t be helped by barrier 10.

The consistent #8 Viva Hunter should go well again, though Joao Moreira could face a challenge negotiating a good trip in transit from barrier 11. Also worth a look are #5 King’s Capital, a winner two starts back on the Happy Valley turf before failing on the all-weather at his last start, and #4 Crossford, the Hong Kong Derby seventh-place finisher who has the benefit of Zac Purton’s services.

Best play

• $10 win/$30 show: #7 Copartner Fionn
• $1 box quinella: 1, 3, 6, 7, 8

Bonus play – New Zealand

Phar Lap Raceway, Timaru, April 27 (ET), Race 4

$10 win/$30 show: #7 Power of the Kitty: Probably would have won at Riverton with any luck. Big chance here if she gets a clear run.