Hong Kong Preview: Keep an eye on Star Contact
Racing at Happy Valley, Hong Kong (Courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club)
February 28th, 2023
#11 Star Contact can add to his outstanding season to date by scoring a second Happy Valley victory in three outings on Wednesday.
Happy Valley Race 8 Selections
- #11 Star Contact
- #7 Casa Cosmo
- #2 Gallant Waking
- #1 Red Majesty
Happy Valley Race 8 Wagers
The son of Star Turn should start one of the favorites in the Pak Tin Handicap, raced over 1,650 meters (about one mile), and he looks very hard to beat.
Star Contact contested his first 12 Hong Kong races at Sha Tin, compiling a 1-3-1 record. But he moved to the tight Happy Valley circuit in December and has thrived, not finishing further back than fourth in four starts.
Two starts back, he scored a comfortable Class 4 victory, and he performed well in a strong Class 3 field Feb. 15 to finish third.
From barrier five, Karis Teetan should find a decent spot not too far from the pace and be finishing strongly.
#7 Casa Cosmo could prove the toughest horse for Star Contact to beat. A dual winner in Australia when known as Benczkowski, Casa Cosmo has improved in each of his three Hong Kong outings and finished well to take third at Sha Tin Feb. 5. Hong Kong’s leading jockey Zac Purton has the mount on the son of Tavistock, and he will get every chance.
One of the horses that finished ahead of Star Contact Feb. 15 was #2 Gallant Waking. He will be a good chance again, though he does get back and may need some luck in running to get up for a victory.
Eight-time course victor #1 Red Majesty has run poorly at his two most recent starts, but they were from wide draws. This time he’s drawn gate one, which will aid him greatly, and he must be considered.
#9 Leslie has been getting going too late in most of his races, all of which have been at six furlongs or fewer, and he could be an interesting chance at his first start around a mile, while #10 Majestic Victory is in decent form and gets a 10-pound apprentice allowance from Angus Chung.
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