Californiadeepshot may have company up front in Fo Tan Handicap

Californiadeepshot turned an easy lead into a comfortable victory in his Hong Kong debut in a handicap at Happy Valley Racecourse on Jan. 29.

The win left Californiadeepshot unbeaten in three starts, a career that began with two wins at Kembla Grange Racecourse in Australia last August and September. The Happy Valley win also exposed Californiadeepshot’s dangerous tactics.

Trained by Tony Cruz, Californiadeepshot may have company on the front for his second appearance in Hong Kong in Wednesday’s $186,706 Fo Tan Handicap at six furlongs at Happy Valley. This time, Californiadeepshot is carrying topweight of 133 pounds. Similar to the Jan. 29 race, Californiadeepshot breaks from the outside in a field of 12.

Jockey Karis Teetan is back aboard Californiadeepshot, who remains a threat from the front, but could also be positioned as a stalker from the outside. Runners such as Victory in Hand could be part of the pace scenario.

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Victory in Hand has won his last two starts in six-furlong handicap at Happy Valley on Nov. 12 and Jan. 15 against lower-class handicap fields. Teetan was aboard for those races, but Alexis Badel has the mount on Wednesday. Victory in Hand will carry 117 pounds, a significant drop against what is supposed to be a tougher field.

Victory in Hand was favored on Jan. 15 and figures to receive significant support in the Fo Tan Handicap, the last of eight races on the Happy Valley program.

Shousan and What a Legend, who will both carry 118 pounds, have also won their last two starts. They race as stalkers and could be well-positioned if the pace is too quick.