Hong Kong: A Happy Valley pick for April 8

The top weight of 132 pounds shouldn’t be enough to stop Kinda Cool from being very competitive in the Class 3 Creasy H. (1,200 meters, or about six furlongs) at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

Kinda Cool finished strongly to fill second placing behind Wind N Grass at his most recent outing, and with Wind N Grass stepping up to Class 2 company earlier in the evening, Kinda Cool should have an easier outing.

In addition, Kinda Cool has not been favored by outside barrier draws in many of his starts this season. On the two occasions he has drawn in the first five gates this season, he has been victorious.

Leading Hong Kong jockey Zac Purton once again takes the mount and the pair should mount a formidable challenge.

The most interesting horse taking them on is Captain Tiger, who is making his Hong Kong debut. A winner of one of his five starts in South Africa when racing as Only One Like You, Captain Tiger is a year-older brother to Malmoos, who four days ago completed the South African Triple Crown.

The distance may be a little too short for Captain Tiger, but he is well worth watching.

Other leading chances include Alcari, Aurora Pegasus, and Nordic Warrior.

Best play

Hong Kong, Race 8 at Happy Valley

• $3 to win: #1 Kinda Cool
  
• $6 to show: #1 Kinda Cool
• $1 quinella: #1 Kinda Cool anchored with #3 Alcari, #4 Captain Tiger, #6 Aurora Pegasus, and #10 Nordic Warrior.

BONUS PLAY

New Zealand, Race 6 at Wanganui

Ruby’s Landed was just beaten at her most recent start and should break maiden company here.

• $3 win and show: #6 Ruby’s Landed.