Happy Victory a threat in Tai Po Handicap

Two races into his Hong Kong career, Happy Victory may be rounding into the form needed to win Wednesday’s $175,852 Tai Po Handicap at five furlongs on turf at Happy Valley Racecourse.

This will be Happy Victory’s first start at Happy Valley. A 4-year-old Australian-bred colt, Happy Victory was third in his first two starts in Hong Kong – in five-furlong handicaps on the straightaway at Sha Tin on Dec. 29 and Jan. 20.

In the latter race, Happy Victory challenged for the lead with a furlong remaining and faded to finish 2 1/2 lengths behind California Archer.

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Wednesday’s race will be Happy Victory’s first start around a turn in Hong Kong. In 2017, Happy Victory won two of three starts in New Zealand around one turn when racing under the name Not Usual Trip. Horses frequently have their names changed when they are sent to Hong Kong.

Wednesday, Happy Victory, who will carry 130 pounds, will be ridden for the first time by Silvestre de Sousa, who takes over for leading jockey Zac Purton. In the Tai Po Handicap, Purton will ride Little Bird, who has the speed to dispute the pace.

Little Bird will carry joint top weight of 133 pounds with Dragon Pioneer, a winner at five furlongs on turf at Happy Valley in October.

Leading trainer John Size starts Noble Delight, who will carry 117 pounds and is a danger from off the pace. Noble Delight is winless in five starts during the Hong Kong season, which began in September. Noble Delight has been second in two of his last three starts.

Purton and Size team in the final race of the program – the $175,852 Tsuen Wan Handicap at a mile and 50 yards – with Har Har Heart, who has been second in his last two starts.

Har Har Heart, who will carry 130 pounds, won a handicap at a mile and 50 yards at Happy Valley in October. The 5-year-old gelding is a threat from off the pace.

The Tsuen Wan Handicap will be a class test for All You Know, who will carry 119 pounds. The mount of de Sousa, All You Know was second by a neck at Happy Valley on Jan. 30 and faces a higher division of handicap runners on Wednesday.