Bigwood a late threat at Happy Valley
In all likelihood, Bigwood will be flying through the stretch of the $175,905 Southorn Handicap at Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong on Wednesday.
In his last four starts, all since early October, Bigwood has shown a strong rally, winning once in that span – in a one-mile handicap on turf at Sha Tin Racecourse on Oct. 21. More recently, Bigwood was second by a nose in a handicap at Happy Valley on Nov. 14 and third, by three-quarters of a length, in a handicap at Sha Tin on Dec. 9.
Those close performances are expected to make Bigwood the favorite in the Southorn Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on turf.
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The presence of leading jockey Zac Purton will appeal to bettors. Purton has been aboard Southorn for his last three starts, including the win in October.
Bigwood, a 5-year-old Irish-bred gelding trained by Caspar Fownes, is the 133-pound highweight in the field of 12.
Jolly Gene, a six-time winner in Hong Kong earlier in his career but uncompetitive in recent starts, was assigned 133 pounds. Jolly Gene will carry 126 pounds since apprentice jockey Victor Wong claims seven pounds.
Jockey Joao Moreira, who won four races at Sha Tin on Sunday, will ride Ping Hai Treasure for trainer John Size. Moreira, a former leading rider in Hong Kong, is the stable rider for Size this season.
Ping Hai Treasure, who will carry 121 pounds, was 11th, beaten six lengths, in a handicap at 1 1-8 miles on turf at Sha Tin on Jan. 12 after a wide trip. This will be the third start in Hong Kong for Ping Hai Treasure, a maiden race winner in France in October 2017.
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