Yiu’s charge seeks glory at Happy Valley
After three consecutive placings, promising four-year-old Virtus Glory looks primed to land his first career win in the Class 4 Handicap over 1200m at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
Trained by Ricky Yiu, Virtus Glory has finished second in each of his last three starts and may well have won one of them with better luck. Three starts ago, the Written By gelding was held up from the 400m to the 250m but was beaten only 1.25 lengths, before enduring a wide trip in his penultimate outing and going down by half a length. Last time out, he was not suited by the slow tempo but still ran on well to finish just 0.75 lengths from the winner over this distance at Sha Tin.
Possessing tactical versatility, Virtus Glory looks to have found a highly winnable race this week, and his consistency could finally be rewarded. The main danger is in-form sprinter Lucky McQueen, who has gone close in his last two starts since a narrow win in this class, but has to carry top weight.
Having slid down the ratings, the Tony Cruz-trained Viva Graciousness looks well placed to return to the winner’s list in the Class 4 Handicap over 1650m.
A three-time winner from 34 starts in Hong Kong, Viva Graciousness recorded two victories earlier last season but has since mixed his form in Class 3. The Deep Field gelding resumed with a creditable fifth in Class 3 before things went against him on his return to Class 4. Trapped wide just off the speed throughout from an awkward draw, he was entitled to weaken in the straight and was eventually beaten seven lengths into 11th over this track and distance.
Meeting a below-par Class 4 field this week, Viva Graciousness is now well below his last winning mark and looks capable of making amends with a more economical run in transit. – iRACE Magazine
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Viva Graciousness appears to be on a competitive mark and is well placed with the apprentice claim to produce an improved effort if he gets some luck from the wide draw. Glorious Journey stormed home for third last start and must be respected given his consistent Class 4 form. Ace has underperformed in recent starts but the booking of Purton piques interest. Well Enough ran on well in a slowly run race last time out and could show further improvement if he handles the rise to 1650m. Happy Promise endured a wide trip last start and, with better luck in running, could place at odds, provided he handles the rise to 1650m.
Race 2: Winning Now suited by the drop back in distance and, with Nichola Yuen aboard, looks primed to break through from a low draw in Class 5. Golden Friendship boasts a strong Class 5 record and shapes as a leading contender with Purton taking the reins. Autumn Vibes has been knocking on the door, and the favourable gate gives him another chance to shed his maiden tag. Falcon Hunter comes off an encouraging effort at Sha Tin and looks one to follow. Chill Master can unleash a strong finish if they go too hard up front and is worth considering as a value pick.
Race 3: Luck Is Back has shown sharp improvement since adopting a positive racing style three starts ago, and the inside draw further enhances his winning prospects. Uranus Star should relish the drop in class and looks primed to deliver a bold showing with Nichola Yuen’s 7lb claim. Turin Champions his strong Class 4 record and the booking of Purton are both positives, making him one hard to overlook. Strange Alert attacked the line strongly in a recent trial and should run well fresh first-up. Take Action likes to get back and charge home late; will need a genuine tempo to suit his racing style.
Race 4: Virtus Glory looks overdue for a win after three consecutive seconds and, with the apprentice claim, could make amends if able to cross early from the wide draw. Matzden flopped last start but deserves another chance given his strong previous form. Lucky Mcqueen his recent efforts have been encouraging, but the wide draw and top weight pose a challenge. Master Phoenix will find this field more manageable on his return to Happy Valley and looks one to watch first-up. Lightness Of Being finished strongly for third last start and remains well weighted to deliver another strong performance.
Race 5: Mapogo trapped wide last start and should play a key role from a good draw, with the collateral form in his favour. Iron Security almost caused an upset last start and appears well weighted to produce another bold showing. Georgian Sigma finally broke through with a narrow win last time out, but the wide draw and weight rise could prove tricky. Master Champion placed at long odds last start but repeating the effort is a query. Grand Nova may have reached his rating ceiling and looks more of a place chance.
Race 6: Glowing Praises better than his recent form suggests and is suited by the drop back to 1000m. Sight Hermoso his uncharacteristic last-start effort is best overlooked, and he could bounce back first-up after a five-month break. Victory Sky the inside draw suits his racing style, and he is expected to produce an improved effort with the apprentice claim. Bottomuptogether stormed home for third first-up and looks one to follow given his impressive second-up record. Love Together looks poised to build on his solid first-up effort under a light weight despite rising to Class 2.
Race 7: Forza Leader showed little off the speed in a slowly run race last start but looks capable of bouncing back from a better draw on his return to the city circuit. Kol scored a tenacious win last start and may still have more rating points in hand. Copartner Fleet was far from disgraced in a 1400m race last start, and the drop back to 1200m plays to his strengths. Quick Contribution has placed seven times from 15 starts and is edging closer to a win. Malpensa had genuine vet excuses last start and is worth keeping an eye on first-up after a solid recent trial.
Race 8: Greater Bae has trialled well ahead of his first-up assignment and must be considered a leading contender with the drop back to his preferred distance. Pegas should map closer to the speed from a low draw and run well after a fast-finishing third last time out. Leading Agility has struck a purple patch of form and remains a strong chance despite the awkward gate. Perfectday boasts a strong record over this track and distance and commands respect. Royal Blitz possesses good early speed and could be hard to peg back if allowed a soft lead.
Race 9: Embraces below his last winning mark, he has drawn well to make amends after finishing strongly from a wide gate first-up. Pope Cody has regained his best form and should get every chance to produce another encouraging run from a low draw. Solid Win let down well in a race dominated by the leader last time out and could sneak into the placings at long odds. Highland Rahy will give them something to catch if able to dictate from the wide draw. Win Method was likely used up from the wide draw last start and, with a smoother trip from a better draw, could finish in the money.