Frankie Lor is aiming to extend his terrific record in Wednesday’s (8 January) HK$4.2 million G3 January Cup Handicap (1800m) when the trainer saddles Happy Together (135lb), Money Catcher (115lb) and Flamingo Trillion (115lb) in Happy Valley’s sole Group race.

Happy Valley Selections
(Wednesday, January 08, 2025)

By Leo Schlink

Andre Atzeni hopes a light weight and favourable barrier will pave the way for Swift Ascend to offset a class rise and post a third consecutive win when the in-form gelding tackles the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Tai Tong Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (5 January).

Triumphant in Class 3 under James McDonald at his past two starts, Swift Ascend has surged from 59 in the ratings to 84 to earn a tilt in Class 2, justifying trainer David Eustace’s faith in the Lord Kanaloa five-year-old.

Paul Lally: 
R1: 4-6-1-3 
R2: 9-6-7-2 
R3: 1-5-2-7 
R4: 3-1-2-7 
R5: 9-2-7-12 
R6: 5-10-12-4 
R7: 4-9-6-7 
R8: 7-1-8-4 
R9: 1-4-11-7 
R10: 13-8-11-12 
Best Bet R4 N3 Elegant life 
Longshot R5 N9 Pochettino 
Play R3 QQP 1-2-5 

Sha Tin Selections 
(Sunday, January 05, 2025)

Azonto and Magnaprime have developed a blooming rivalry on the Australian island of Tasmania in recent months.

They have met three times since mid-October, with Magnaprime finishing in front twice. Azonto beat Magnaprime by a half-length when they were first and second in their last meeting, an allowance race on Dec. 11.

The two Southern Hemisphere 3-year-olds will have their first starts in a stakes in Thursday’s $77,387 Tasmanian Guineas at a mile at Hobart Racecourse.

By Declan Schuster

Magic Control (125lb) has established himself as a sprinter on the rise and jockey Matthew Chadwick is eyeing a first Group race success in Hong Kong with the Cody Mo-trained up-and-comer in the HK$4.2 million G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap (1000m).

Paul Lally: 
R1 5-1-2-6 
R2 2-13-1-12 
R3 12-11-1-2 
R4 3-2-1-4 
R5 3-5-1-2 
R6 3-4-5-6 
R7 7-5-4-2 
R8 6-1-2-9 
R9 11-5-2-7 
R10 7-10-2-6 
R11 3-2-9-5 
Best Bet: R6 N3 Yuen Long elite 
Longshot: R5 N3 Devas Twelve 
Play R10 QQP 2-7-10 

Tom Wood: 

A sharp recent comeback race and a low weight assignment make Time to Boogie an attractive favorite in Tuesday’s $124,300 Canterbury Sprint at Canterbury Park near Sydney, Australia.

Time to Boogie returned from an 11-month layoff to finish second by a nose in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Dec. 21, leading in the final furlong before being caught at the wire.

A 5-year-old gelding, Time to Boogie is part of a field of 10 in the Canterbury Sprint, which is run as a handicap at six furlongs.

By Declan Schuster

Hong Kong runs two Group races over 1000m at Sha Tin each season and trainer Pierre Ng is aiming to sweep both contests with Beauty Waves (131lb) when the smart sprinter lines up in Wednesday’s (1 January, 2025) HK$4.2 million G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap (1000m).