3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Happy Valley races.
Rail - B Course
Race 1
#5 WINDICATOR FAMILY broke through for his maiden victory in March over this precise course and trip and has since been super competitive in two additional contests here at Happy Valley.He arrived in Hong Kong a listed New Zealand 3yo winner of a rating of 70 points but wasn't able to get himself going through the initial Hong Kong campaign.The tide looks to have turned now as he races with great enthusiasm and the current handicap mark would suggest he's potential a rating special.
#12 BEAU GOOSE showed up with a different attitude at his second run for the new stable of Dennis Yip and can position up perfectly from the low draw.The application of a hood seemed to work perfectly last start because he saved all his energy for the race, instead of burning it in the mounting yard.The stable have gone one stepfurther this time around by adding cheek pieces, which could end up being the final recipe for success.
#7 PODIUM received no favours two back at Sha Tin before returning to the city circuit and 1650m most recently.The wide draw again ensures that he'll need a copy book ride but his performances back in January/February rates him a strong winning chance.Zac Purton now jumps aboard for the very first time and together with first year trainer David Eustace they've already built a formidable record.
#11 HARRY'S HERO has made up solid ground through the final 600m of his past three starts so a similar effort would have him in the fight.He won earlier in the season over the 1400m at Sha Tin but recent race experience, here at Happy Valley, has him poised to strike at the tighter city circuit.The widish draw does makes things a fraction tricky early on, but race fitness is at a premium and the high calibre skills of jockey Alexis Badel are respected.
#10 TRADITION has gone close to notching up his first victory a couple of times in the past few months and is worthy of throwing in at a price.You can completely forget his run on the all weather three back, after covering ground, and follow him off his strong effort this course and trip the run prior.The two most recently runs have both been honest in defeat and tonight he'll be forced to be ridden fully with patience.
Selections : 5,12,7,11,10
R2 - 4,2,1,11,3
R3 - 8,3,5,1,10
R4 - 12,3,2,7,1
R5 - 4,1,8,12,5
R6 - 4,9,5,8,3
Race 7
#1 GALAXY WITNESS hasn't won a race since May 2022 after winning his first four starts at Sha Tin.Along the way he's been placed in some high quality contests including a pair of seconds in class 2, and a third in the 2023 Hong Kong Classic Cup.Here he is now, contesting a class 4 at Happy Valley for the second time following a hard closing runner-up finish last start, which suggests that only bad luck in the stretch holds him out.
#5 NEW POWER has been in excellent form this campaign and cracked it for a win last start despite covering ground. The switch back to familiar rider Keith Yeung played a pivotal part with the pair previously successful over this precise course and trip last season. He's ideally drawn to race handy to the speed which should provide him with the perfect trail and run required to win.
#4 PRIME MORTAR is going better than his form would suggest with trouble in running and wide barriers causing all sorts of mayhem during his past three starts.He's not faraway from reaching his previous winning rating of 54 points and he finally maps nicely in the run.James Orman took him for a spin two runs back and together they found the line well, so I fancy him to run a solid race.
#2 FORTUNE WHISKEY won two races earlier in the season in this class and the blinkers going back on catches the eye.Combine that, with the 7lb claim for inform apprentice Ellis Wong and he's extremely well handicap against the race grade.There's a strong chance he even contests for the outright lead, with the claim becoming more important if that's done.
#9 COUNTRY DANCER is becoming untrustworthy but he can run well in this contest with a touch of luck. He won two races in class 5 earlier this season and in the process displayed a strong and potent final burst. He continues to improve but the key shall be whether he can secure clear running down the entirety of the home straight.
Selections : 1,5,4,2,9
R8 - 8,2,5,10,7
R9 - 5,9,1,4,11
