Hong Kong Preview: Rock Ya Heart set to roll at Happy Valley

#10 Rock Ya Heart can cap off some consistent form with victory in the Wong Nai Chung Handicap at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

Happy Valley Race 9 Selections

• #10 Rock Ya Heart
• #7 Toronado Phantom
• #9 Power Koepp
• #1 Whizz Kid

Happy Valley Race 9 Wagers

• $10 win/$30 show: #10 Rock Ya Heart
• $1 exacta: 10 with 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9

Rock Ya Heart hasn’t been able to win in any of his last four starts, but he hasn’t finished further back than third. He’s shown an ability to handle the tricky Happy Valley track when he has ventured to the city circuit and has the benefit of barrier six.

He will be reunited on Wednesday with Vincent Ho, who is second on the jockeys premiership and who has won aboard the son of I Am Invincible beforehand.

At his most recent start, Rock Ya Heart fought strongly to take third at Sha Tin Jan. 29 behind #7 Toronado Phantom, and he looks poised for another strong effort here.

Toronado Phantom will deserve respect himself. Unlike Rock Ya Heart, he has raced since the Jan. 29 clash, finishing fourth over about seven furlongs Feb. 12. He should be better returning to a shorter trip.

Also contesting the same Jan. 29 contest was #9 Power Koepp. He finished sixth that day, but he does have winning form at Happy Valley and he will surely appreciate barrier three.

#3 Astrologer and #5 Grateful Heart finished first and second in a six-furlong sprint at Happy Valley Feb. 8. They have the ability to figure here as well, but they have horror barriers of 10 and 11, respectively. Astrologer also has a nine-pound rise in ratings to deal with, suggesting that Grateful Heart may be the better prospect of the pair in this event.

#2 Handsome Bo Bo can be hard to follow, but he is talented on his day and has good form at Happy Valley. The same applies to #1 Whizz Kid, who should enjoy the return to this track. The pair have the two inside gates; the only issue for them is the fact they are conceding weight to all their opponents.

It’s also worth keeping an eye on #4 Carroll Street; though he hasn’t put it together at Happy Valley yet in three starts, he is talented and has gate five to his advantage.