MORNING BRIEF: Racing returns to Happy Valley this Wednesday after a week off and we get underway at 11:45 with a Class 4 Handicap over 1800m and without doubt, the best bet on the card runs in this opening contest.

NAP – 1:45 SAVVY KINGMAN

It is very hard to get away from Savy Kingman who was 2nd on his seasonal return over 1650m 2 weeks ago. Having settled nicely in mid-division, he made eye-catching late headway to close all the way to the line behind Red Majesty, who had been allowed an easy lead and so had been able to dictate in front. That was his first start since July and although he has been raised 2 points for that effort, on a mark of 60 he is still able to race in Class 4 and arrives with a favourites chance. Under leading rider Joao Moreira, he is ideally drawn to dictate from the plum draw in stall 1 and if he can get to the front, he could prove to be very hard to pass.

Check out the market here

2:45 XPONENTIAL

Also 2nd on his seasonal return, Xponential looks ideally placed to go one better in this Class 4 handicap over 1200m. Having been briefly outpaced on the turn for home, he stayed on very strongly once Jerry Chau had straightened him up for home and was only just denied by Fortune Carrier, who had a much smoother passage. The 4th placed that day, Red Majesty, has gone in again since to give a boost to that form and as Xponential is weighted to reverse the form with Fortune Carrier on Wednesday, he should go close from stall 7.

Check out the market here

3:15 COLONEL (EW)

One of the great quirks of racing in Hong Kong is the repeating form lines, where horses will often take each other on 5 or 6 times within the same season. With that in mind, Colonel looks a decent bet to win race 8 and reverse the form with Classic Posh, who got the better of him 3 weeks ago. Having broken well on that occasion, he set a decent gallop in front and was only caught by Classic Posh in the final strides. With the benefit of that run and a 5-point swing in the weights with Classic Posh, he should go close at a decent each-way price.

Check out the market here