Hong Kong: Ratings-risers clash in Class 2 handicap

Several good-looking last-start winners feature prominently in co-featured race 9 on Wednesday at Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong.

The nightcap is one of two Class 2 handicaps on the program and has lured Shining Ace, Victoriam, and Beauty Amigo, all boosted considerably in the Hong Kong ratings following recent victories.

Shining Ace won a May 20 race at this class level and distance by 1 1/2 lengths, earning an eight-point ratings rise to 100, massive progress for a 4-year-old Australian-bred gelding who began his season back in September rated just 63. Trained by John Size, Shining Ace won easily three starts ago at Sha Tin and more than replicated that performance over Happy Valley’s more idiosyncratic course in his most recent appearance. In 11 starts this season, he’s been third or better nine times, but high weight of 133 pounds Wednesday presents a new challenge.

Size also trains Country Star, whose 96 rating here translates to a 129-pound impost, mitigated somewhat by apprentice jockey K.H. Chan’s seven-pound allowance. Country Star has been something of a work in progress this season, though when cut back to 1,000 meters in his most recent start, he finally passed some horses through the final furlong. Wednesday’s 1,200-meter trip should lie within his range, and at age 4 Country Star should still have improvement.

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Beauty Amigo, more a front-running type, comes off a Class 3 win going 1,200 meters at Sha Tin and won earlier this season at Happy Valley. Victoriam, another 4-year-old, has made incremental improvements for several months and comes into this start after a pair of wins and a second in his last three races. He’ll also want to race forwardly and risks a wide trip from post 10.

Race 7 is another Class 2 for horses rated 100-80, this one carded at 1,650 meters, one lap around the course. King’s Shield is a vulnerable top-rated runner. He scored his last-start win over the dirt track at Sha Tin.

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First post for the card is 6:45 a.m. Eastern. Live video and wagering is available at DRFBets.com.

◗ Dances With Dragon didn’t just upset the Group 3 Premier Plate Handicap at Sha Tin, he crushed his rivals, drawing off to a 4 3/4-length victory at odds of 17-1. It was the fourth win from his last six starts for 6-year-old Dances With Dragon, easily in the best form of his career. Jockey Keith Yeung rode Dances With Dragon for trainer Caspar Fownes.