HAPPY VALLEY 🇭🇰

R1 – FENWICK HANDICAP

Weighing in at 996Ib, Palace Pal drops into the basement grade for the first time. Despite the impost of 135Ib he has to be considered under Hugh Bowman. In this tough opener I’ll pick another alliteration with HAPPY HERO for Mark Newnham. The Pierro gelding has yet to build on his maiden victory at Sha Tin but returning to this longer trip can play to his strengths. Karis Teetan takes the reins.

R2 – FLEMING HANDICAP

An interesting race for the grade and I’ll take two against the field. Firstly, TIMESTORM, 0-19 but unlucky not to have won a race. The son of Outreach was denied a clear passage on his penultimate run under Alexis Badel and fared okay last time when midfield behind Super Commander. Both runs came over the minimum trip and returning to this distance is a positive. The icing on the cake is Ellis Wong’s claim, giving the selection a clear chance in a modest affair. I’ll also include HARMONY N HOME (Each Way), another class-dropper. A high draw isn’t a deal-breaker, given his come from behind style, and Angus Chung would do well to emulate his ride in 2022, when a close fourth to Rattan Kingdom over C&D.

R3 – JAFFE HANDICAP – DIVISION 1

A ‘whose turn is it today’ Class 4 with GALLANT VALOUR the selection. He meets recent conqueror, Lyrical Motion on 7Ib better terms and remains relatively unexposed for Jamie Richards, a trainer in fine form.

R4 – HONG KONG FOOTBALL CLUB CENTENARY CUP (HANDICAP)

BEAUTY DESTINY (Best Bet) gets the vote for Frankie Lor. The son of Star Turn was an excellent second to Super Fast Dragon last time, his best run since a highly promising debut third to Lucky Encounter – given he was odds-on to make a winning start, it’s fair to say we haven’t seen the best of him after just five runs. Dropping back in trip looks key and Matthew Chadwick sticks. Another worth considering is LIFE IS GOOD (Each Way) for this season’s leading trainer. He made a winning debut for Pierre Ng on his penultimate start and was probably ridden too near the speed when disappointing last time.

R5 – LUARD HANDICAP

Perennial ‘nearly horse’ Turin Warrior bids to win at the 27th attempt but breaks from gate 12 for the second time in three starts. SURE JOYFUL, on the other hand, knows how to win and can record back to back victories under Matthew Poon. It was a joy to watch Poon ride the Tarzino gelding last time, up 13Ib since the beginning of the season and evidently thriving. Included is NOBLE PURSUIT (Each Way), found to have blood in the trachea following his latest run, but a stylish winner previously. The son of Savabeel remains full of promise and little wonder Hugh Bowman keeps faith.

R6 – JAFFE HANDICAP – DIVISION 2

Jumbo Legend is down to a workable mark and Ellis Wong takes a further 10Ib off. The Caspar Fownes 3YO is likely to run well but has a wide barrier, having failed to capitalize from the plum draw twice this season. High Rise Soldier, Great Achiever and TALENT SUPREMO are closely matched but the last named is preferred. The son of Bated Breath won over C&D in November and continues to run well in defeat, including a last start fourth under Hugh Bowman. The Australian ace switches to my second pick, HAPPY GOLF for Frankie Lor. The Manhattan Rain gelding is 0-8 following back to back wins under Bowman but the handicapper has relented and he looks ready to strike.

R7 – LOCKHART HANDICAP – DIVISION 1

Pace à gogo here with Superb Capitalist, a candidate to lead, along with Celestial Colours and One For All, the Mark Newnham runner making his belated seasonal debut. All of which tees things up for a closer and there’s plenty worth close scrutiny in this burn up. Preference goes to multiple winner, HARMONY AND BLESSED for David Hayes. Yes, he has plenty of weight. And, at this level, his fuel gauge tends to empty over 1200M – but he drops in class, is reunited with Centenary Sprint Cup hero, Derek Leung and from his low draw has the requisite gate speed to stay close to the pace. He is vulnerable to a stronger finisher at the trip but The son of Magnus has been a grand servant to David Hayes and might just have another big race in him.

R8 – LOCKHART HANDICAP – DIVISION 2

Hopefully another one for Zac Purton aboard BEAUTY WAVES (Next Best) for Douglas Whyte. Formerly trained in Ireland, the son of Starspangledbanner has quickly acclimated to his new environment with three placings from four starts – the latest, his first visit to the ‘City Circuit’ when grabbed close home by Bon’s A Pearla. From gate 3 he can get a lead from Mega Bonus, beautifully rated under Luke Ferraris when making all last time. Viva Chaleur, Righteous Arion and Tomodachi Kokoroe are all respected but will need luck from their wide draws.

R9 – O’BRIEN HANDICAP

A competitive end to the card with three last start winner’s lining up. Two, Red Hare King and SIMPLY MAVERICK, step up in grade with the latter slightly preferred. The son of Sebring won comfortably under Vincent Ho, and physically carries 10Ib less here, with Andrea Atzeni taking the reins.