Hong Kong Spot Plays: Cypress Handicap Divisions at Happy Valley

Betting both divisions of the Cypress Handicap

Wednesday’s nine-race card at Happy Valley in Hong Kong (first post time 6:45 a.m. ET) is highlighted by two competitive divisions of the Cypress Handicap, a 1,200-meter turf sprint for Class 3 handicappers.

We’ll feature both divisions in our latest Hong Kong spot plays:

Race 6: Cypress Handicap (Class 3, 9:15 a.m. ET)

Locked in a tight battle for top jockey honors in Hong Kong, Joao Moreira and Zac Purton will square off aboard #2 Californiadeepshot and #3 Shouson, respectively, in the first division of the Cypress. The lightly-raced Californiadeepshot won his debut over this course and distance on Jan. 29 and followed up with two more solid efforts, including a third on Feb. 26. Meanwhile, Shouson has been on a steady rise for legendary trainer John Moore, rallying from just off the pace to win a 1,200-meter Class 3 handicap by 2 1/2 lengths on Mar. 25.

Both Californiadeepshot and Shouson (particularly the former) have the tactical speed to work out clean, forwardly-paced trips. We’ll play them together in the quinella and key them in a trifecta with #1 Shining Gem and #7 Beauty Spark, who finished second and third over this course, class, and distance last month:

• $15.60 Quinella: 2,3
• $1.30 Trifecta: 2,3 with 2,3 with 1,7 ($5.20)
• $2.60 Trifecta: 2,3 with 1,7 with 2,3 ($10.40)

Race 8: Cypress Handicap (Class 3, 10:15 a.m. ET)

The second division of the Cypress Handicap could potentially give Moreira a double on the day. Assuming Moreira wins the first division with Californiadeepshot, he can complete a sweep with #2 Meridian Genius, an improving 4-year-old who has cracked the exacta in all five of his runs this season.

Meridian Genius has shown plenty of versatility, running equally well over 1,000 meters and 1,200 meters while transitioning back and forth between Sha Tin and Happy Valley. After taking December and January off, the late-running son of Unencumbered returned to finish second in a pair of 1,200-meter Class 3 sprints. He’ll stick to the same distance on Wednesday while making his third start off the short layoff, a combination that should land Meridian Genius in the winner’s circle.

Let’s bet Meridian Genius to win and play him in the quinella with #1 Winning Method, who defeated the above-mentioned Shining Gem and Beauty Spark over this course, class, and distance on Mar. 25:

• $20.80 to Win on #2 Meridian Genius
• $10.40 Quinella: 1,2

Good luck!