Happy Spirit gets class relief in Hong Kong's Cornwall Handicap

Happy Spirit finished first or second in three consecutive races in Hong Kong from November to late January before he started in a higher-class race Feb. 15. Happy Spirit was unsuccessful against the tougher group, finishing 10th of 11.

Nearly three months later, Happy Spirit takes a drop in class for Wednesday’s $224,811 Cornwall Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Happy Valley Racecourse. The Cornwall Handicap is the seventh of eight races at Happy Valley. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Trained by Tony Cruz, Happy Spirit has won 4 of 16 starts in his career. His most recent victory was a two-length win in a minor handicap for horses rated 60 to 80 at Happy Valley in December. Happy Spirit was later second in a race for horses rated 80 to 100, but only 10th in a race for runners rated 80 to 105 in February.

Wednesday’s race is restricted to runners rated 80 to 100. Happy Spirit is rated at 86 and will carry 118 pounds, 14 less than topweight Packing Dragon. Happy Spirit, who will be ridden by the apprentice jockey Alvin Ng, can be effective near the front or as a stalker.

Packing Dragon, who has won three times in 10 starts in Hong Kong this year, will be ridden by Chad Schofield, who was aboard for the 5-year-old gelding’s most recent win Feb. 15. Schofield did not ride Packing Dragon in two subsequent starts – a fourth-place finish March 22 and a seventh on April 9.

Packing Dragon is likely to be near the front in the Cornwall Handicap.

Magical Beauty will carry 113 pounds and is a threat among the lower-weighted runners. Magical Beauty was beaten a nose in a handicap for runners rated 60 to 80 on April 26, the closest the 5-year-old gelding has come to winning in seven starts in Hong Kong this year.