Dragon General has right rider for Wong Nai Chung Gap Handicap

Dragon General will be ridden by the hot rider in Hong Kong in Wednesday’s $224,592 Wong Nai Chung Gap Handicap for turf sprinters at Happy Valley Racecourse.

On Sunday, jockey Umberto Rispoli recorded the second four-win day of his career in Hong Kong at Sha Tin Racecourse, benefiting by the absence of top jockeys Joao Moreira and Zac Purton, who were in Japan. Those riders are in action at Happy Valley on Wednesday, but Rispoli and Dragon General have a history that makes the 5-year-old gelding a contender in the 12-horse field.

The Wong Nai Chung Gap Handicap is the eighth and final race on the Happy Valley program. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Dragon General, who carries 122 pounds, was third, beaten a length, after a troubled trip in a handicap at Happy Valley on April 26. Earlier this year, Dragon General won a lesser handicap at five furlongs on turf at Sha Tin.

Moreira, the leading rider at Hong Kong this year, will ride Mr Genuine, a winner in March who was second and fifth in his last two starts. Wednesday’s race will be the first time Moreira has ridden Mr Genuine in his 27th start in Hong Kong.

Mr Genuine, who will carry 124 pounds, won the 2013 Tyros Stakes in Ireland when racing under the name Exogenesis. Horses frequently have their names changed when they are transferred to Hong Kong.

Dalradian was sent to Hong Kong from Australia last winter and raced under that name in both countries. Dalradian won twice in Australia and was second in the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse last year.

Dalradian had a rough introduction to Hong Kong on April 9, fading to last after racing in a stalking position. The experience could help in this field, in which he has been assigned 121 pounds.

Purton rides Archippus, who will carry 132 pounds, one fewer than topweight My Little Friend, who is winless in six starts in Hong Kong since the season began in September.

Archippus has won once in 11 races this season and was fourth, beaten a length, in a five-furlong handicap at Sha Tin on May 7. Archippus won a handicap at six furlongs on the all-weather surface at Sha Tin on Dec. 4. Purton was aboard for the win.

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