Hong Kong Preview & Best Bets – 31/01/2024

Hong Kong Tips for Wednesday, January 31

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 8:  No.7  BEAUTY WAVES  

The Doug Whyte-trained BEAUTY WAVES has done everything but win this preparation but after four starts this time in, he should be at his peak and hard to beat tonight. Last start, the Starspangledbanner gelding made it three-straight podium finishes when he beat all but one home in a Class 3 Hcp, here over 1200m. They ran 1:09 that night as he crossed the line a whisker behind the winner (Bon’s A Pearla) who came from last to nose-out the four-year-old on the post. Four starts in and ready to rock, Zac Purton is back for his fourth ride on the galloper and from gate three, should enjoy a sit just behind the speed again. A clear run home tonight will see him fight out the finish.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 7:  No.5  CELESTIAL COLOURS

The Jamie Richards-trained CELESTIAL COLOURS is three starts into this preparation and improving with every start, looks set to give this contest a real shake tonight. Last start, the Zoustar gelding saw Happy Valley for the first time where he beat all but one to the line in a Class 3 Hcp over 1200m. He carries the same weight tonight and has the same gate (10) as well, but has a new ridder with premiership leading Zac Purton in the saddle for his first ride on the four-year-old. He has some good early gate speed which should see him cross and settle near mid-field. Rock-hard fit after those three runs, a clear passage home tonight, can see him picking up the winner’s cheque here.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 4:  No.7  BEAUTY DESTINY

Frankie Lor saddles-up BEAUTY DESTINY here who has improved with each start this preparation and now looks ready to win. Last start, the Star Turn gelding was third-up and found the podium when he beat all but one home in a Class 4 Hcp, here over 1000m with Matthew Chadwick in the saddle. Ridden off the speed for a change, he thrived as he box-seated behind the leaders, and after taking over in the run home, looked the winner but was grabbed late by Super Fast Dragon near the line. He meets that galloper here again but 2kgs better at the weights and is also drawn better tonight. Chadwick sticks with him and gets the option of where to settle from gate six. He looks like an improver on the go and should prove hard to beat here.