3 minute read

Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Happy Valley races.

Rail - C Course

Race 1

#7 NEW POWER has been in excellent form this campaign without cracking it for a win buts it's fair to say he was stiff last start after being held up in the stretch. A switch back to familiar rider Keith Yeung is now taking place and the pair posted a previous success over this course and distance last season. He's ideally drawn to race one off the fence and handy to the speed, which should ultimately provide him with the perfect run required to win.

#1 JUMBO TREASURE won impressively by leading throughout at Sha Tin in March and in the process recorded solid time for a class 4 galloper over 1200m. He was then less effective at Happy Valley when finishing fourth but it was his first appearance at the tighter city circuit. He's expected to improve significantly with the benefit of that experience now under his belt and in return should be running a huge race out in the lead.

#6 METAL KING ran a much improved race at his second career start and should be included amongst the calculations. He's had a few hiccups going in to the gates, and then getting out of the gates on time, but I'd envisage that'll improve third time around. He's not overly big, therefore the small claim received via the booking of jockey Jerry Chau is formidably acknowledged, and the low draw shall assist in seeing him improve on his overall finishing position.

#11 AUTUMN DELIGHT suffered a tendon injury in July 2024 and took a long time to fully recover, as can often be the case. Nevertheless, he's been working well in the mornings and was good enough to win a pair of barrier trials down the Sha Tin straight in March and April respectively. He was only fair in defeat at Sha Tin over 1400m last start but a change of venue, reduction in distance and a 7lb claim portray him in a much better light.

#9 IRON LEGEND has been ridden up and down like a yo-yo during his short career and therefore remains unexposed. After closer analysis of what he's recorded statically so far it's established he's responsive to a conservative first half. With the blinkers now being taken off, and a perfect run in transit anticipated, an improved finishing position should follow.

Selections : 7,1,6,11,9

R2 - 4,7,11,12,2

R3 - 1,8,4,2,11

R4 - 2,10,7,6,4

R5 - 12,11,9,3,5

R6 - 6,2,7,3,4

R7 - 5,6,8,1,7

R8 - 2,6,11,2,12

Race 9

#12 SOVEREIGN FUND is in a similar situation to EVERSTAR after winning a class 4 in good sectional time and is also chasing a 1.5 million HKD private purchase bonus should he win. With the benefit of a contest in this grade now under the belt he's rated amongst the winning hopes in this challenging event. A good draw, alongside his strong Australian form as a 2yo makes him the one of the most difficult to beat, plus the familiar company of light weight jockey Karis Teetan atop complements his hope.

#9 DRAGON FOUR SEAS is the another runner in this race that's won in class 4 recently and now attempts to crack it for a win in class 3. He has ticks alongside his name here with the good draw to exit from and the astute booking of jockey Zac Purton. An economical journey throughout also appears his for the taking and the strong pace on offer plays right into his hands.

#11 EVERSTAR was a maiden winner at Ipswich/Queensland Australia prior to his importation and importantly for connections has settle in quickly. He put the writing on the wall two runs back with a hard finishing and narrow defeat before getting it done nicely at his most recent effort in class 4. He ticked plenty of boxes on the sectional time scale during the aforementioned win and that data says he'll stand up and run another competitive race.

#6 ROMANTIC SON hasn't reached his full potential to this point because he's been mentally precious on regular occasions during the heat of battle. Nevertheless, a good draw and a strong pace here should brew up a recipe he likes and it's worth noting he performed confidently in a recent barrier trial. He certainly remains a runner difficult to trust, however legitimate excuses at his past couple are noted and he possesses the engine capacity to win at this level.

#3 POWER KEOPP has excellent form behind him following a prosperous season and can again be looked at as a runner to entertain for frame.l finishing position. Despite the fact he'll be asked to shoulder 131lbs, the fast tempo anticipated almost guarantee's he'll be given the high speed tempo he requires to run well. He'll need to time his run perfectly if he's going to win again but at the same time he's extremely difficult to fully oppose.

Selections : 12,9,11,6,3