Happy Valley Preview

RACE ONE – MIRACLES / OUR CLASS ACT (EW)

Miracles is 0-16 but knocking on the door and only class-dropper, My Intelligent came between him and victory this month. Zac Purton keeps faith with the Better Than Ready gelding.

Our Class Act ran sixth (in the above race) on his stable debut for Cody Mo. Gate 11 is tough to overcome but he’s undeniably well handicapped and I like the booking of Luke Ferraris.

RACE TWO – GORGEOUS VITALITY

Both wins have come under Purton and its significant that the champ takes over from Matthew Chadwick. The selection went back to back in his first season but the 22Ib hike from 49 to 71 found him out, despite some initially respectable efforts of the revised mark. He lost his way somewhat toward the end of last season but has slid down the handicap as a consequence. There was much to like about his returning fourth to Kowloon East Star over track and trip last month and his rating of 58 provides him with a chance of ending the drought despite the double figure draw. Savvy Delight looks a threat, seven days on from a podium finish over C&D behind Happy Day. A slight caveat for me is the modest strike-rate of 1 win from 22 starts but he has to be respected. Of the others, I’ll throw in Nishikado for Me Tsui. It’s a chancy selection but he’s a two-time winner in Australia and far from disgraced when eighth to Ka Ying Cheer this month. He wasn’t beaten far in races won by Bundle Of Charm and Pulsar Strider last season so could easily improve for his reappearance.

RACE THREE – RIGHTEOUS ARION / HAPPY SOUL (EW)

One win from 10 local starts is modest but the Tony Cruz 4YO is very consistent and the booking of Purton catches the eye.

Happy Soul remains 8Ib above his winning mark but shaped well on return and reunited with Lyle Hewitson from an excellent barrier.

RACE FOUR – YEE CHEONG WARRIOR

A race where I find it difficult to nail my colours to any horse. The tentative vote goes to the David Hall 7YO, narrowly denied by Viva A La a fortnight ago. Hugh Bowman stays onboard. Right Honourable is an obvious danger with Purton staying loyal. He was fourth to Medic Elite on his return and can build on that, but needs to snap a losing run going back 20 months. Tsuen Wan Glory is 0-15 but shaped well in two starts this season. His career best was probably his latest, a third to Viva A La over track and trip. Lyle Hewitson maintains the partnership from a tough gate in 12, but it’s not impossible he could take a hand in the finish.

RACE FIVE – TOGEPI (BB)

Hugh Bowman takes the reins on Togepi, a winner two back for Antony Millard over track and trip, one of few bright spots for the trainer last season. The son of Eurozone ran to a consistent level of form but it took the final run of his campaign to salute. Now with Cody Mo, he made an encouraging return last month when sixth to Lucky Archangel over C&D and looks the one to beat. He didn’t enjoy the best of passages under Bowman and appeared to have plenty left in the locker as they crossed the line. The race itself looked strong and the winner followed up a week later. Of the dangers, I’m scared of the top-weight, Solid Shalaa for David Hayes. He came closest to winning on his final start last season, a solid (pardon the pun) second to Super Fortune at Sha Tin. Three things make him of obvious interest – the calmer waters of a class 4, first time headgear and Zac Purton taking the reins. Act Of Faith is another to catch the eye. Now that John Size is on the board (with Ensued) the juggernaut will click into gear and AOF made a pleasing return to action when fifth to Lucky Gor under Brenton Avdulla, who keeps the ride from the 4 gate. As a track and trip winner, the son of Press Statement has a clear chance.

RACE SIX – AMAZING BOY

Michael Chang hit the target on Sunday with Leslie and I’m hoping lightning strikes twice with Amazing Boy. The son of Holy Roman Emperor made an encouraging return last month, albeit 3¼ lengths adrift of the winner, M Unicorn. The Caspar Fownes 5YO has leading claims up 8Ib, but the selection is entitled to improve and I liked his barrier trial on Thursday. Keagan De Melo maintains the partnership.

RACE SEVEN – ROMANTIC LAOS

A two time winner for Jamie Richards and made the perfect stable debut for Cody Mo over C&D two weeks back. Has more on his plate up 7Ib but gets the vote with Zac Purton electing to stay with the Pins gelding.

RACE EIGHT – WONDER KIT / PHOENIX LIGHT (EW)

Wonder Kit won at the ninth attempt and well deserved following a series of good runs. That success earned a 9Ib rise but a returning fourth to O’Liner proved he can remain competitive off this new mark. With regular pilot, Vincent Ho out through suspension, Zac Purton takes over from the rail draw.

From an each way perspective I like Phoenix Light for Dennis Yip. Both victories have come at Sha Tin but he proved his effectiveness over track and trip last season, and returns 3Ib below his last winning mark. Alexis Badel knows him well and partnered him to a satisfactory trial over the ‘City Circuit’ this month.

RACE NINE – CALL ME DANDY (NB)

The Francis Lui 5YO breaks from a difficult barrier for his Happy Valley bow, but Zac Purton is the man to have in your corner. Remains 7Ib above his latest winning mark but competitive off this rating in two runs this season and this looks winnable under the six-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey.