Calculation making quick turnaround in Waratah Handicap

Nine days after finishing a fast-closing second in a handicap at six furlongs, Calculation will start at a mile and 50 yards in Wednesday’s $237,087 Waratah Handicap at Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong.

The Waratah Handicap, the last of an eight-race program, will play a key role in the jockey’s race for the Hong Kong season, which ends on July 15. Calculation will be ridden by Joao Moreira, who begins Wednesday’s card with 125 wins, three less than leader Zac Purton.

Moreira has won the riding title the last three years in Hong Kong.

Calculation is trained by John Size, who leads all trainers in Hong Kong with 85 wins this season. Calculation has hardly contributed to that total, winning once in 18 starts – a handicap at about a mile and 50 yards at Sha Tin in March.

On June 24, Calculation closed from sixth to miss by a neck to Fight Hero.

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In the Waratah Handicap, Purton rides Beauty Spirit, who arrived in Hong Kong from Australia on April 16. Beauty Spirit left Australia after a win in the Group 2 Caulfield Autumn Classic for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on turf on Feb. 24. At the time, Beauty Spirit raced under the name Valiant Spirit. Horses frequently have their names changed when sent to Hong Kong.

Calculation carries topweight of 132 pounds, while Beauty Spirit will carry 124 pounds.

There may be support for Winning Faith, the mount of Alberto Sanna, who will carry 124 pounds. Winning Faith, a three-time winner in Hong Kong this year against lesser company, was second in a handicap at 1 1/8 miles at Happy Valley on May 23, but only fourth, beaten 5 1/2 lengths, at 1 1/8 miles on June 27.

The shorter distance of Wednesday’s race may help Winning Faith, who has tactical speed.