Hong Kong Preview & Best Bets – Wednesday December 21

Steve Bennett

in Bets of the Day 21 Dec 2022

Hong Kong Tips 21/12/2022

Our form expert provides Hong Kong tips for tonight’s horse racing at Happy Valley Racecourse and gives his best bets.

BEST BET 🏆

Race 2: No.4 HIT THE SHOT ($3.20 with bet365)

The John Size-trained HIT THE SHOT has run himself into form of late and looks a key player in this contest. Last start, the Dundeel gelding came off a Class 3 win here when he lined-up against similar company at Sha Tin where he took home third prize that day with Zac Purton aboard. He returns to where he is already a track and distance winner and has Purton sticking with him for the event. Four starts back now where he should be rock-hard fit for this and looks a prime candidate for victory tonight.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 8: No.5 YO BEAUTY ($7.50 with Palmerbet)

Tony Cruz saddles-up YO BEAUTY here who hasn’t missed a podium finish in seven starts and with an impeccable track record here, looks the goods for another top-three finish tonight. Last start, the five-year-old was third-up when he beat all but one home in a Class 3, here over 1200m. He ran that trip out, 4.5 lengths quicker than benchmark, the best last-start effort in this field. He has run over this track and distance, 12 times before and only saluted once, however, he has also racked-up no less than eight minor placings as well, boasting a resume very similar to Tom Melbourne. He has to deal with gate 10 tonight and has his third different jockey in three runs with Antoine Hamelin in charge for tonight’s assignment. With a bit of luck at barrier rise and a trouble-free run, he can figure here.

BEST VALUE 💰

Race 9: No.9 LUCKY ARCHANGEL ($16 with bet365) Each-Way

The Frankie Lor-trained LUCKY ARCHANGEL is four starts into this campaign and tonight is out in search of win number two this preparation. Last start, the Deep Field gelding came off a close win in a Class 4 Hcp on this track when he stepped up in class and faced his first Class 3 contest. Not disgraced, he finished fifth, beaten 2.5 lengths. He ran that out, 3.8 lengths quicker than benchmark which is the best effort in this line-up. Coming off a five-week let-up, he will have fresh legs for this contest and has Harry Bentley in the saddle, having his eighth ride on the five-year-old. He is a three-time winner at the track and distance and looks a touch overs for this assignment. Ideally drawn in gate two, he maps to settle in the first half-dozen and is every chance of giving this a real shake tonight.