High Five (127lb) gave Martin Harley his first Hong Kong success and the duo will revive their partnership in the Class 2 sprint at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

“He’s got a nice draw which I’m happy about, he seems in good form, he had a big run last start on the dirt in Class 2 company, so I’m very hopeful,” Harley said. 

Harley’s four wins have been spread out, his most recent coming aboard Allied Agility in early May, but the Irishman remains positive that his 100% strike rate aboard High Five can remain intact. 

“There looks to be loads of speed in the race and he likes being handy, so if we can be there without putting him on his head that’s what we’ll do. I’m delighted to get back on him and see if we can make it two from two,” he added.

Martin Harley on High Five, picture Hong Kong Jockey Club

Moreira the key to Kingdom?

Paul O’Sullivan’s Last Kingdom (124lb) has hit a smart patch of form, placing in three of his last four races, and the handler is hopeful the gelding can get off the mark in the Class 3 Lancashire Handicap (1650m). 

“He’s drawn a bit of an awkward gate, I’ll just leave it Joao (Moreira) to work it out, but his form has come sound and he’s been consistent so he deserves to win a race,” O’Sullivan said.

Last Kingdom is one of five horses currently racing in Hong Kong by the great Frankel and if successful on Wednesday night, he will become the third to win a race after Simply Brilliant and Enjoyable Success before him. 

Frankel was unbeaten across his 14-start career including 10 individual G1 victories, retiring at a record high rating of 140.

Frankel’s sometimes unpredictable temperament is not a trait Last Kingdom inherited; instead the horse has been a pleasure for O’Sullivan to train, albeit without putting a win next to his name.

“Quiet, five-year-old bull; he’s just like an old gelding,” the handler said. 

O’Sullivan saddles four at Happy Valley (22 May) including last-start winner Planet Star (127lb) in the Class 3 Norfolk Handicap (1200m).

“Planet Star is in good form, so he’ll just work himself to the lead or close to it,” O’Sullivan said. 

Victor Wong will be looking to make it two-from-two aboard Planet Star after driving the gelding to a narrow victory last start.

“I think it was a real on-pace bias that day, very much so, the first two around the corner won all night,” O’Sullivan said. 

Happy Valley’s eight race card starts at 7.15pm with the Class 5 Cornwall Handicap (1650m).