Tonights Happy Valley race by race preview and top selections.
Race 1 – TAI HANG TUNG HANDICAP
Turf ,”B” Course ,1800m
Rating: 40-10
Woeful race to kick us off where many of these are simply out of form and don’t even look like testing the judge in any event they contest. In saying that, Sammy’s Fortune (8) should be an odds on favourite here coming off a strong win over the mile where he narrowly accounted for Romancing Tamar. Before that, he crossed the line in first but was demoted to second so really, he should be aiming for the hat trick of wins here. The 1800m is the only slight concern but he does have two fourths to his credit and there are no half superstars in this field. Dragon Boy (1) has been given every chance by Jeff Lloyd here at the Valley in recent times where a mid race move has seen him fight on extremely well for straight 5ths over the mile. He has placed over tonight’s distance from just the one attempt and I cant see him missing a place tonight. Lightning Mount (9) got up late on the All Weather course last start and before that he wasn’t far away over the Sha Tin 1800m. He looks a nice each way chance while Galaxee (2) is also a place chance despite being very disappointing in recent starts.
Selections:
8-1-9-2
Race 2 – STADIUM PATH HANDICAP
Turf ,”B” Course ,2200m
Rating: 60-40
Rocket And Gold (11) is drawn to improve on his numerical form here tonight and his effort in a similar race two starts back was full of merit where he was caught wide but still toughed it out for a close up 7th. He should be on the leaders back tonight and is a great chance to make it win 4 from 40 starts. Wonderful Gains (10) has been crying out for this trip and gets the services of Douglas Whyte to steer him around the Valley at his course debut. He has drawn to take up a forward position and will take a power of beating. Floral Nirvana (4) has been stepped back in distance at his past couple and is another who is suited by the rise in distance. He races well here at Happy Valley and if the breaks go his way he will be fighting out the finish. Fantastic Guy (9) looks the pace in the race and is a place chance if he can get an uncontested lead throughout.
Selections:
11-10-4-9
Race 3 – NAM CHEONG HANDICAP
Turf ,”B” Course ,1650m
Rating: 60-40
All Time High (1) has only the 1 win to his credit but was the unlucky runner here last start when he found plenty of trouble in the straight behind all the way winner Destiny’s Child. He will have to do a bit of work from gate 12 but if he can slot in he should be too good for these. The Witch’s Broom (3) just cant seem to draw a gate and really struggled with the rise in distance last time out. He is the improver back to the mile and he could take up the running and give an almighty sight. Darpana (4) is a punters nightmare who is forever running on over 1200m but then does little when stepped up to the mile. Hopefully he is going better now and from the ideal draw he wont be far away. Carry Good News (9) ran a real eye catcher last start and with Prebble up, has to be considered both ways.
Selections:
1-3-4-9
Race 4 – KAI LAI HANDICAP
Turf ,”B” Course ,1200m
Rating: 60-40
Supreme Taiji (2) looks very well suited here and should be able to sit up on the speed and prove too good for them on the tight Happy Valley circuit. He has led at his past couple when winning one and then being run down late by St. Didar down the Sha Tin straight. He has the early pace to cross from gate 9 and he looks a good bet. Tai Hang’s Pride (5) ran super last start when stepped up to the 1400 as he was caught wide but still put in a gallant effort. He will be a lot sharper over the 1200m here tonight and with the right trail he can score at nice odds. Withallmyheart (10) loves these Valley sprints and is rarely out of a place. That trend should continue tonight from a perfect draw. Next best is Chevalier King (3) who boxed on well behind Entrapment last time out and this race looks a bit easier than what he has been contesting. Go well.
Selections:
2-5-10-3
Race 5 – THE HONG KONG RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION CUP (HANDICAP)
Turf ,”B” Course ,1650m
Rating: 80-60
Happy Tumbler (5) is better placed here at the Valley over the mile where he will hopefully be taken back and given the chance to settle and run on like he did 3 back when a close second behind Happy Seven. Two back at Sha Tin, he simply sat too close and didn’t fire a shot in the straight. He made up many lengths last start on the All Weather Track but this race tonight looks to be his go. Super Genki (8) is finding it really hard to win another race but has not been far away in recent outings. His latest effort when running on hard between horses for 4th was full of merit but he just gets too far back here and to have him on the win line is a big risk. Good Luck Win (9) is the leader in the race and with a soft lead he can skip clear and be hard to run down on his day. Best to try him both ways along with Champion Lad (6) who will also be on the speed and will certainly give a sight at odds.
Selections:
5-8-9-6
Race 6 – INVERNESS HANDICAP
Turf ,”B” Course ,1200m
Rating: 80-60
Free And Easy (2) makes his Hong Kong debut are racing in Australia under the name of Hothavananights where he won two races in Sydney in good style. He draws for debut success tonight and has the services of leading jockey Brett Prebble. Confucius Classic (1) couldn’t make up any ground on the dynamite leaders track last start but his run before that of Sha Tin was full of merit where he ran on stoutly in the straight with a slightly checkered passage. With any luck tonight he can get back into the winners stall and continue his impressive record here at the Valley. Beauty Express (5) is still a Hong Kong maiden but he signaled his turn isn’t far away with a slashing run here over 1200m two runs back where he stormed home behind Bondi Lad. He will get back from a wide gate but is sure to be the strongest at the finish. Turf Magic (7) is a favourite of mine and makes his course debut tonight but I do think he is better suited on the spacious Sha Tin course but it will be interesting to see what he can do here tonight as he does have loads of potential. Try him both ways and chuck him in all tricks.
Selections:
2-1-5-7
Race 7 – WYLIE PATH HANDICAP
Turf ,”B” Course ,1650m
Rating: 80-60
Tricky race here where there are four even winning chances but the best weighted horse is Absolute Hedge (9) who has been very consistent since his win here over The Untouchablelad back in January. He is coming off straight placings over the Valley mile and is very well suited from an ideal draw. He will be hard to beat. Royal Pumpkin (5) races well here at Happy Valley and regains the services of Brett Prebble who has won on him before. He’s a nice each way chance if he can run up to his close up second to Flying In earlier this year. Travel Guide (2) comes in well with the claim after defeating Absolute Hedge narrowly last start and will be thereabouts once again while Team Work (1) might find the going a bit tough as he rises in weight. Don’t leave him out of everything though as he will get a soft trip from the cherry draw.
Selections:
9-5-2-1
Race 8 – BOUNDARY STREET HANDICAP
Turf ,”B” Course ,1200m
Rating: 100-80
Sweet Sanette (1) obliterated the track record here last start when she led and shot clear for an easy win in a quality field over 1000m. She is drawn to find the top again tonight and she does look to be something special. Forever Elation (7) was a tad unlucky last time out when he encountered numerous traffic jams in the straight where he went down narrowly in a three way finish to Yummy Spirits. He has a touch of class about him and will certainly be thereabouts. St Fevre (10) just couldn’t pick up Sweet Sanette (1) last start in a solid first up hit out. He will be much better for the run and rates an each way chance along with Island Super (12) who is rarely far away here at the Valley where he hasn’t missed a placing from his two attempts.
Selections:
1-7-10-12
Written by Xavier Blair
