Hong Kong Preview & Best Bets – 29/12/2023

Hong Kong Tips for Friday, December 29

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 8:  No.4  QUANTUM PATCH  ($3 with bet365)

The Pierre Ng-trained QUANTUM PATCH is in great touch this time in and fourth-up tonight should be at his peak and ready to score again. Last start, the Irish-bred gelding came off a big win here when he had to settle for second prize in a Class 3 contest over the Happy Vallery 1650m journey. Beaten 1.5 lengths by Silver Sonic that night, he clashes with the same galloper again tonight, but meets him 3kgs better at the weights this time. He is yet to miss a top-two finish in three starts at the track and distance as Jerry Chau is legged aboard for his second ride on the five-year-old. Ideally drawn in gate three, he maps to settle a little closer tonight (which was his undoing last start). Fourth-up and fitter here, he should prove hard to hold out.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 3:  No.4  TURIN WARRIOR  ($2.40 with bet365)

Manfred Man saddles-up TURIN WARRIOR here who has impressed with a hat-trick of podium finishes this preparation and should now be ready to win. Last start, the Not A Single Doubt gelding settled in the back half of the field. In the run home, (and never a winning chance), Zac Purton got to work on him and he responded well, running home strongly to grab third prize in the Class 4 contest, here over the mile. He meets similar company here but will strip even fitter after three runs back. He gets the gun run from gate one tonight and settling a little closer here, he can lay down a serious challenge for victory.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 7:  No.8  A AMERIC TE SPECSO  ($4.60 with bet365)

The proven combination of John Size and Zac Purton team-up here again with A AMERIC TE SPECSO in great touch of late and looks well placed here for another Happy Valley success tonight. Last start, the Per Incanto gelding found the podium again when he crossed the line in third place against Class 3 opposition, here over 1200m, beaten just a length on the line. In a strung-out affair, the five-year-old settled third-last a dozen lengths off the lead and the job ahead. On straightening, Purton darted back to the inside (saving ground) where the galloper found another wind and hit the line hard, making up a ton of ground to grab the bronze medal in the race. If he leaves the gates a little better tonight, he could settle mid-field with cover and be close enough to lay down a stronger challenge for victory. Purton remains the pilot after steering to two previous victories and boasting three wins at the track and distance, he looks right in the mix tonight.