Country Star gets new rider for Arsenal Handicap

Country Star has developed into a specialist at Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong since he began racing on the circuit in September.

The 3-year-old gelding has won 5 of 7 starts at Happy Valley, including two starts in January. Country Star did not race in February, and is back in action on Wednesday in the $248,442 Arsenal Handicap at six furlongs on turf at Happy Valley.

Country Star is the 133-pound highweight in the field of 12 and is well drawn in post 6. Trained by John Size, Country Star will have a different rider on Wednesday in Neil Callan, who rides the Australian-bred for the first time.

Callan replaces Joao Moreira, who is serving a suspension of two racing days this week – Wednesday at Happy Valley and Sunday at Sha Tin – for careless riding at Sha Tin on Feb. 10.

Country Star won twice in January from a stalking position, which could be an ideal position in the Arsenal Handicap if runners such as Handsome Bo Bo and Speed Vision take their customary positions at the front.

Country Star’s five wins have all been at six furlongs.

The race may also develop favorably for California Fortune and Super Turbo, who were second and fourth against higher-class opponents in the $334,441 Happy Valley Trophy on Feb. 13.

California Fortune, who is winless in nine starts since the Hong Kong season began in September, led in the stretch of the Happy Valley Trophy, but finished a neck behind Wishful Thinker. Super Turbo closed from well off the pace to miss by a length.

California Fortune will carry 130 pounds, while Super Turbo will carry 125 on Wednesday.

The Arsenal Handicap will be a Hong Kong class test for Music Addition, a two-time winner in Australia in 2017. Music Addition won consecutive starts in six-furlong races at Happy Valley in January and February against lower-class competition. In both wins, Music Addition was always near the front and won by at least a length as the favorite.

Music Addition, who will be ridden by Silvestre de Sousa, will carry 124 pounds on Wednesday.