Moreira to redeem himself on Golden Glory at Happy Valley
Clint Hutchison
– The Happy Valley Vase, Race 6, has attracted a quality line-up of gallopers once again this year in what should prove to be a tough race to find the winner.
But, at the same time, there might be some value around. The likely favourite is Dinozzo from the John Size yard with Joao Moreira booked to ride, and the talented galloper will be searching for his third win this season.
His statistics over the course and distance read well, having never missed the frame in five starts but scoring just the one win. And he comes back from
Hong Kong
Group 1 company following a fair seventh to Time Warp in the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup.
However, in the same event, the run of Gold Mount was very solid. He closed well, as he does, from well back in the field and finished ahead of key rivals Eagle Way and Dinozzo. He meets those rivals on very similar terms again. The drop back in trip isn't ideal, but such factors may be overplayed by the market and he should be reasonable Eachway odds as a consequence. He will need decent pace to allow him to unleash his powerful finish, and providing he makes his move at the right time then can certainly win.
One of the better bets on the card is in Race 3 with Golden Glory. He is returning to Happy Valley following his defeat last week over the course and distance when Joao Moreira did not display his usual brilliance in the saddle, and a key error early in the event in not holding a prominent position cost him dearly. He will be out to make amends, and once again, from a good barrier, against similar opposition, should prove very hard to beat. There are two main dangers, with last start winner Hero Time open to more improvement and his last victory over the course and distance was sound.
Nice Fandango (Dougie Whyte) is the probable leader and he too is backing-up from last week where he was sound in defeat, and the rail in the outermost position arguably enhances his chances. The three of those gallopers can be boxed in a Trifecta, as they do seem to have a fair margin on the Happy Valley (HK) Wednesday Race 1: 13:15 rest of the field.
Moreira could easily add to his tally in Race 5 with Alcari. This progressive sprinter hasn't had the rub of the green on his last two starts, when badly checked two starts back and last time he was pressured the whole way on the lead. He is drawn to get the run of the race from gate one and he may not have to necessarily lead this time. Either way, if he can hold his recent form, does make plenty of appeal as a straight-up Win bet.
SUGGESTED BETS: RACE 3: NO 11 WIN, TRIFECTA 11-2-7 RACE 5: NO 11 WIN RACE 6: NO 2 EACHWAY