Hong Kong Preview: Yo Beauty ready to win again

#4 Yo Beauty can add to his stellar run of form with victory in the High Island Handicap (Race 8, post time 10:15 a.m. ET) at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

The son of Anjaal has been much more effective since moving back to 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) from his earlier 1,400-meter assignments, and he hasn't finished out of the top three in his last six starts stretching back to May.

Yo Beauty began the 2022-23 season with an overdue victory at Happy Valley, and at his last start on Oct. 19 he was run down late by Gallant Waking after setting the pace.

Yo Beauty gets the all-important advantage of an inside barrier draw (post 3) at the city circuit, from where jockey Alexis Badel should be able to get him near the speed and ready to fire in the stretch.

The clear market rival to Yo Beauty is last-start winner #2 Adios. He put a stellar effort up against a couple of his Wednesday rivals when winning at Happy Valley on Oct. 5. It was a great run, but Adios has gone up eight pounds in the ratings as a result and will need to be very good to lump that extra impost straight away.

Just behind Yo Beauty at his last start was another highly consistent galloper, #6 Xponential. He looks ready to run well again, though he won’t be helped by post 9.

#1 Drops of God is also worth including in exotics bets. He’d been looking in decent form until finishing seventh to Gallant Waking and Yo Beauty on Oct. 19, a start where he didn’t get all favors. From post 7 he should have every chance.

• $10 to win on #4 Yo Beauty
• $30 to show on #4 Yo Beauty
• $5 Exacta: 4 with 1,2,6 ($15)
  Total: $55

Bonus play – New Zealand

Nov. 2, Woodville, Race 5, Bernie Walsh Aluminium & Glass Ltd, 1,400 meters (about 7 furlongs), maiden three-year-olds

• $10 win and $30 show on #1 Notabadpony: Two excellent placings at his only two starts and should be ready for a victory.