Hong Kong Spot Plays: An amazing ascent for Amazing Star

Wednesday mornings aren’t typically when racing fans expect to watch a superstar racehorse in action, but there are exceptions to every rule. If you’re looking for an exciting midweek race to play, you’re strongly advised to check out the seventh race at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

The nine-race card (first post time 5:45 a.m. EST) is stacked with talented horses, but all eyes will be on Amazing Star in the Blue Pool H. A freakishly talented sprinter, Amazing Star looks like a future Group 1 winner in the making.

Want to follow along with the action? Here are a couple of Wednesday spot plays to get you started:

Race 6: Tsui Man Handicap (Class 3, 8:15 a.m. EST)

Held over the testing distance of 2,200 meters, this Class 3 handicap is something of a mini-marathon. Stamina and fitness will be prerequisites to vie for victory, so we’ll strongly favor runners with encouraging recent form and a proven ability to handle long distances.

First and foremost is #1 Tashidelek, who hasn’t missed the trifecta in three starts over this course and distance. Conditioned by John Moore, Tashidelek has been beaten a neck or less in his last three runs and is seemingly due to come out on the winning side of a photo finish. Reigning champion jockey Zac Purton retains the mount on Tashidelek, who rallied furiously to miss by just a head in a 2,000-meter Class 3 handicap at Sha Tin on Jan. 27.

For the quinella and trifecta, we’ll also use #3 Clement Legend (who edged Tashidelek by a neck over this course and distance in December) and #6 God of Dragon (who beat Tashidelek at Sha Tin last month):

• $16.90 to Win on #1 Tashidelek
• $6.50 Quinella: 1 with 3,6 ($13)
• $2.60 Trifecta: 1 with 3,6 with 3,6 ($5.20)
• $2.60 Trifecta: 3,6 with 1 with 3,6 ($5.20)

Race 7: Blue Pool Handicap (Class 1, 8:45 a.m. EST)

Just how high can #4 Amazing Star ascend? The Jimmy Ting-trained 5-year-old has been an unbeatable monster over his pet distance of 1,200 meters since returning from a layoff late last year. He annihilated a Class 4 handicap by 5 1/2 lengths on Nov. 20. He dominated a Class 3 handicap over the same distance by 4 1/2 lengths on Dec. 18. He never hit top gear when winning a Class 2 handicap by 1 3/4 lengths on Jan. 29, cruising to victory under a confident hand ride.

No one can match Amazing Star’s blinding early speed, and no one can keep up with him down the lane. His winning times of 1:08.92, 1:08.75, and 1:08.99 are the mark of a truly sensational sprinter. He’ll step up against Class 1 company on Wednesday, but the jump in class is deceptive; the standard winning time for this level is just 1:09.20, and Amazing Star is the only confirmed front-runner in the field. With Zac Purton in the saddle, Amazing Star figures to continue his extraordinary ascent with another dominant victory.

Let’s place a hefty win bet on Amazing Star and key him on top of a trifecta emphasizing #1 Fat Turtle and #2 Country Star underneath:

• $29.90 to Win on #4 Amazing Star
• $2.60 Trifecta: 4 with 1,2 with 1,2,6,7,8 ($20.80)

Good luck!