Hong Kong Play for March 3

Savaquin will be out to prove he’s worth taking to the Hong Kong Derby when he contests the Canal Handicap for Class 3 horses at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

The New Zealand-bred took his time to get going in Hong Kong, finishing no better than fourth in his first four runs after arriving from Australia.

But he’s looked extremely good in his two most recent starts, and rallied strongly to win a class 3 contest at Happy Valley on February 17.

He will be at the top of the handicap on Wednesday with 133 pounds, and if he’s up to Hong Kong Derby standard then he will be expected to win this.

Clearly the biggest danger to Savaquin is Sunny Star. A USA-bred by Flatter, Sunny Star has been in solid form and stormed home off a fast pace to win a Class 3 race at Happy Valley on February 10.

The value bets for players will probably be in the combinations. A Savaquin-Sunny Star quinella looks like an excellent play, while a trifecta including several other runners to finish third looks a value bet.

Best Play:

Hong Kong, R9

• Straight quinella - #1 Savaquin/#4 Sunny Star
• Trifecta - #1 Savaquin with #4 Sunny Star with #2 E Star, #3 Naboo Star, #6 Gift of Lifeline, #11 Nothing New, #12 Farshad.

Bonus Play, New Zealand:

Hastings, R7

• #2 Fleetwood Maca is a dual black type-placed filly whose last two starts should be ignored; she nearly fell two starts back and then got on the worst part of an off turf track in her most recent run. Capable of bouncing back.
  • Win/Show - #2 Fleetwood Maca