Happy Valley race-by-race guide to help you win
Race 1 (13:15): CHEUNG HONG HANDICAP
Sweet Bean is no star but he always wins his couple of races every season. The now eightyear-old, a seven-time winner in Hong Kong, has had the benefit of a Conghua off-season and that could spark him to life in this spot. He’s worth following. Wealthy Fortune is down in the ratings now and should prove competitive here. Eastern Prowess has had a run already this season and can use that fitness edge to his advantage. Proud Sky deserves respect at his first run for Peter Ho.
RACE 2 (13:45): HING MAN HANDICAP
All You Need makes his Happy Valley debut here, although he has trialled around the circuit. The switch to the city track with a run under his belt might prove the spark he needs to return to the winners’ circle. London City returns to Class 4 after proving uncompetitive in Class 3. He may need to shed more points yet, but he’s won three of his nine starts for David Ferraris in this grade and he should enjoy a nice run on or near the speed. Pakistan Baby rarely sticks around in Class 4 for long and it wouldn’t shock to see him make his way back towards Class 3 in no time at all. Super Euro Star could get into the placings at odds, even though he’s right on the cusp of a drop in grade.
RACE 3 (14:15): OI MAN HANDICAP
Sleep Education is on a rating where he should have every chance to break through after a number of good efforts to close out last term. Super Form has a great course and distance record and he shapes as the main danger. Friends Of Ka Ying backs up after fighting on doggedly on Sunday at Sha Tin. Unfortunately, that’s his go and wins have been very hard to come by for him in Hong Kong. The former Almalad has an awkward draw and may be worth opposing if he’s too short. Faithful Trinity is near a drop in class but he’s at a mark where he can win.
RACE 4 (14:45): HING MAN HANDICAP
Mr Picasso has, for a variety of reasons, failed to reach the level that he should have. Still, back in this grade, he should be right in contention with just the slightest luck. Victory Power is still yet to win but with three seconds at his last four starts, he’s on the verge of breaking through. He may hope for an easier time midrace, perhaps settling just behind the speed, and if so he’ll be hard to beat. Applause has his first run for Jimmy Ting here. He is capable of rapid improvement. Captain Boss made nice ground firstup last week and can do so again here with no weight on his back.
RACE 5 (15:15): SHEUNG TAK HANDICAP
Right Honourable returns to Class 4 after a few fair efforts in Class 3. He produced a tremendous run to win in this grade in December and it won’t take much for him to reproduce that effort against this company. Ten Flames has only run in this grade four times in the last three years for two wins and two seconds. He’s older now but a good fresh run can be expected. Sichuan Boss gets the blinkers back on and he’s likely to be somewhere in the mix. Garlic Yeah needs further, but he’s worth watching here. He could sneak into the placings at odds.
RACE 6 (15:45): THE COMMUNITY CHEST CUP
Super Wise received a pass mark at his only run here in May, but trying out the Happy Valley 1000m might prove the key to victory. If he can end up on the back of the speed, there’s no reason he can’t emerge on top here. My Beginner's Luck ran a good race at this distance at Sha Tin in January, flanked by two poor efforts. From the good draw, it wouldn’t surprise to see him run another good race.
Turf Sprint is clearly at a mark where he is able to win, while stablemate Prince Harmony is interesting at his first time at the Happy Valley 1000m.
RACE 7 (16:15): SHUN LEE HANDICAP
Eighty Eighty showed promise last season but still looked a little weak. Returning now with a summer under his belt, he should get every chance here from the good draw with Zac Purton taking his first ride on the five-year-old. Smart Boy may need the run and may also need to drop a few points in the ratings. Still, he’s drawn to take advantage and he could end up somewhere around the mark. Breeders’ Star deserves consideration back in this grade. Speedy King still looks to have points in hand. He’s right in the mix.
RACE 8 (16:50): WAH FU HANDICAP
Winning Faith impressed when finding form last season, only to lose his way a bit once getting up to Class 2. He still looks capable of winning in the grade with even luck, and perhaps fresh is the time to chance the hand, particularly with 2.5kg claimer Dylan Mo in the saddle from the inside gate. Circuit Glory is with his third Hong Kong trainer now, having previously raced for Peter Ho and John Moore. He has trialled well and he is more than capable off that mark. Litterateur has been racing more consistently of late, although he still is headstrong at times. He should get a nice run and he has the right rider aboard in “iron man” Neil Callan. Helene Charisma, for one reason or another, is a shadow of the G1-winning three-year-old he was in France. The sheer fact that he has spent some time at Conghua could spark him to life, but this is probably the last chance he gets.