Green Luck to be tested by distance at Happy Valley
Before he was well beaten in two of Hong Kong’s seven-figure races for 4-year-olds earlier this year, Green Luck won for the first time on the circuit at Happy Valley Racecourse in December.
The Australian import struggled in races at Sha Tin Racecourse through the winter, but returned to Happy Valley on May 1 and won a handicap at about a mile and 50 yards.
Wednesday, Green Luck starts in the $248,841 Wong Nai Chung Gap Handicap at Happy Valley, which at 1 1/8 miles should provide a test.
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Green Luck was tried at the distance twice earlier this year at Sha Tin, finishing 13th in the $1.25 million Hong Kong Classic Cup for 4-year-olds in February, and ninth in a handicap against a tough field in March. Prior to that, Green Luck was sixth in the $1.25 million Hong Kong Classic Mile at Sha Tin for 4-year-olds in January.
Wednesday’s race is competitive, but does not showcase as difficult of a field as Green Luck has faced in some of his recent starts. Green Luck, the mount of leading rider Zac Purton, is trained by Caspar Fownes, and will carry 122 pounds in a field of 12.
In the May 1 race, Green Luck won in a manner that suggests the longer distance will fit. Sent off as the 5-2 favorite, Green Luck closed from seventh to take the lead in the final furlong.
As a closer, Green Luck has to catch Mr So and So, who ran in the rich series for 4-year-olds this year and also struggled. Mr So and So was ninth in a handicap at Happy Valley on April 17, and was found to be lame on his left foreleg the following day.
Wednesday, Mr So and So, who will carry 125 pounds, will be ridden by Joao Moreira for John Size, a potent team in Hong Kong in recent years.
Doctor Geoff carries highweight of 133 pounds, but is winless in four starts during the current Hong Kong season, which began in September. The distance should not be an issue for Glorious Artist (129 pounds) who won a handicap at about a mile and 50 yards by 2 1/4 lengths on dirt at Sha Tin on May 8 and was competitive against a tougher field at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Sha Tin on April 7.