HAPPY VALLEY PREVIEW 🇭🇰

R1 – PATERSON HANDICAP

A class 5 to open the show and a tricky one despite the smallish field. The vote goes to AUGUST MOON, 0-13 since victory at Sha Tin in May for Paul O’Sullivan. Now with Jamie Richards, the son of Highly Recommended looks to be running into form, and off a career low mark too.

R2 – KINGSTON HANDICAP – DIVISION 1

SIMPLY MAVERICK (Next Best) was an impressive winner on his penultimate start and didn’t get the breaks last time when third behind To Infinity. An even money favourite that day, he can gain compensation under Vincent Ho of a 1Ib higher mark.

R3 – KINGSTON HANDICAP – DIVISION 2

RED HARE KING can get on the board this season for Tony Cruz. The son of So You Think split To Infinity and Simply Maverick when runner-up last week and avoids that pair, who run in the first division. From the plum draw he can see off hat-trick seeking, Samarkand and last start winner, Super Baby.

R4 – GREAT GEORGE HANDICAP – DIVISION 1

SEA SAPPHIRE (Best Bet) has shown improvement with each run for Pierre Ng and can shed the maiden tag at the fourth time of asking.

At more generous odds I like the chance of HARMONY N HOME for Danny Shum. The Slade Power gelding hasn’t won for an age but is undeniably well handicapped and will, as usual, be doing his best work late.

R5 – GREAT GEORGE HANDICAP – DIVISION 2

Lyrical Motion won nicely last time and Ellis Wong takes 10Ib off but I’ll take GALLANT VALOUR to follow up for Jamie Richards.

From an each way perspective, I’ll include KING INVINCIBLE for Frankie Lor. The Darci Brahma gelding is 0-10 but showed more in headgear last month and the return to 1200M won’t inconvenience.

R6 – THE JANUARY CUP

A cracking field for a valuable handicap with the vote going to the gradually progressive, NIMBLE NUMBUS for Ricky Yiu. Gate 11 is awkward but the son of Sacred Falls is tactically versatile and far from disgraced in the Longines Hong Kong Cup last month.

R7 – CLEVELAND HANDICAP

ESCAPE ROUTE is hard to catch right but will appreciate the return to 1800M and the booking of Hugh Bowman makes obvious appeal.

R8 – CAUSEWAY HANDICAP

The hat-trick bid for NEVER TOO SOON hit the buffers at Sha Tin last month but returning to the ‘City Circuit’ is a positive and he can resume winning ways.