Hong Kong Preview & Best Bets – 04/02/2024

Hong Kong Tips for Sunday, February 4

Our form expert provides Hong Kong tips for today’s horse racing at Sha Tin Racecourse and gives his best bets.

BEST BET 🏆

Race 5:  No.3  SIMPLE HEDGE

The John Size-trained SIMPLE HEDGE has improved greatly after four starts back and this contest looks right up his alley. Last start, he settled better than mid-field and with regular rider Zac Purton in the saddle, ran home strongly and was only beaten by one who came from the back (Fallon) but still stuck on for second prize that day. Purton boasts a strong record with the four-year-old, having ridden him ten time now for three wins and four minor placings. He is stepping up to the 2000m for the first time but gets the gun-run here and should be doing no early work as he maps to settle in the first half-dozen, on the fence. He won fourth-up last preparation and looks well placed here to do it again.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 8:  No.6  HAPPY TOGETHER 

The big race is a real lottery this year with several winning chances in the line-up. Among them is the Frankie Lor-trained HAPPY TOGETHER who is in career-best form, winning four of his five starts this preparation and winning rider Alex Badel remaining at the helm, he can continue on his winning way in this contest. Last start, the Irish-bred galloper made it back-to-back victories when he took out the Group 3 January Cup (1800m) at Happy Valley. Ideally drawn in gate two today, he maps to be about three pairs back (parked nicely on the fence) and with a clear run to the line, he should be staking a solid claim for victory at some stage.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 6:  No.9  MA COMET 

Jamie Richards saddles-up MA COMET here who is making his Hong Kong debut today and after trialling the house down since he arrived, he can figure here today. Formerly racing as Capital Theatre in Australia, he never missed a podium finish in his seven starts last preparation under the Team Hawkes banner. Since arriving here, he has picked up where he left off and finished top-three in all seven trials here to date. The stable fit a tongue tie and hood for his debut run today as Zac Purton is the first to sit on the four-year-old. He lines-up here booming consistency with a capital ‘C’ with his only hurdle being the wide draw (11). If Purton can get him settle somewhere near mid-field (with cover), he could very easily salute on debut today at big odds.