3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Happy Valley races.
RACE – 1 LUNG CHEUNG HANDICAP, HK $750,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 - Turf – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 56.90 Standard Time: 57:25 Course/Class Record 56:87 U W Brother
Winner: FLYING MONKEY (NZ 8yo g Pins – Dandify) jumped in the leading few from gate eight and managed to slot into the one out one back trail after travelling 400m. Pulled out three wide as they cornered and wobbled around the turn, but balanced up well and let down resolutely with 200m to go. Fought strongly to the line under vigorous riding by Badel and held off Winner's Heart and Little Thunder in a tight finish. Connections rejoice as that brings up his first win in over two and a half years. Seems to go well for Badel who has had a win and four placings from eight steers.
Runner-Up: WINNER'S HEART jumped nicely from the inside draw and hustled up to hold a position inside the eventual winner as they settled. Tracked them into the lane and got a split in between the two leaders upon straightening. Knuckled down for a fight late but the winner was too good. Still yet to salute with this being his fifth placing from 20 starts.
Run Of The Race: LITTLE THUNDER had to settle a couple of pairs further back from the first two home and was scrubbed up a long way out. Found the line strongly for his third placing in a row and a win is near.
Disappointment: VIVA MAMA jumped favourite but was used up too much early and faded for ninth.
Comparison: Very slick time just barely outside the Course/Class record.
Market Mover: VIVA MAMA $5 to $4.20
RACE – 2 WANG TAU HOM HANDICAP, HK $750,000
Class 5– Rating 40-0 – Turf – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:40.29 Standard Time: 1:40.30 Course/Class Record: 1:39.11 Glory Star
Winner: PRESIDENT STAR (AUS 5yo g Dundeel – Exotic Escape) was given a squeeze out of gate two to cross Tailor Made early and find the fence as they left the home straight the first time. Steadied underneath along the back to take a sit behind the leaders and get into a decent rhythm. Travelled kindly as they turned for home and got a saloon passage along the rails when they balanced up. Nitro Express loomed as the winner at the 100m mark but Purton had other ideas and lifted him over the line late. It took a while for him to break his maiden, but he has now put back-to-back wins together.
Runner-Up: NITRO EXPRESS had to be snagged back from the carpark draw and settled in the back third of the field one off the fence. Travelled sweetly for Moreira until being revved up 500m to go three and four wide circling the field as they turned. Looked to have all the momentum down the outside but died on his run late with the winner being too strong with the easier run.
Run Of The Race: NITRO EXPRESS was a victim of the outside draw and salutes if the barriers are reversed with the winner.
Disappointment: BRAVE POWER was well found in betting but looked one-paced and could only manage 10th after a soft run in transit.
Comparison: Right on standard with the winner having a nice sit in behind the speed.
Market Movers: BRAVE POWER $15 to $7.3
RACE – 3 LOK FU HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4– Rating 60-40 – Turf – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:39.70 Standard Time: 1:40.10 Course/Class Record: 1:38.83 Flying Elite
Winner: BULLETPROOF (NZ 4yo g Dissedent – Tempting Delight) jumped in the leading bunch from gate ten but eased to settle mid-field one off the fence after travelling 400m. Was given a nice breather in the middle stages, then got a nice cart up into the straight before running into dead ends and only getting clear less than 150m from the post. Really knuckled down to the task late to get up in the shadows of the post. It brings up his second win from 15 starts and the first in Hong Kong for jockey Maia.
Runner-Up: DREAM WARRIORS jumped on terms but eased to eventually settle in the back third of the field one off the fence. Got going three wide with cover before the turn and let down strongly upon straightening. Looked the winner 100m from home but Bulletproof showed a cleaner pair of heels late.
Run Of The Race: Cannot take anything away from BULLETPROOF. Only found clear air in the final stages and showed a good turn of foot to savage the line late. Special mention to ALL BEST FRIENDS who had no favours in the run and still managed to finish third at $42.
Disappointment: ZHAN JIANG ROCKS started third favourite but only got clear 50m from home and finished eighth.
Comparison: Slightly quicker than standard with the leaders going a bit hectic early doors.
Market Mover: OWNERS' STAR $8 to $5
RACE – 4 KOWLOON TONG HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4– Rating 60-40 - Turf – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 57.20 Standard Time: 57.15 Course/Class Record: 56.39 Gentle Breeze
Winner: JOYFUL WIN (AUS 3yo g Shooting To Win – Miss Kistler) jumped well from gate ten and was hustled up to be in the leading quarter as they approached the turn. Never got closer than three off the fence during the run but still let down with plenty of acceleration late and held off a wall of them in a stirring finish. He's had two wins from his last three starts and can go on with it now. There was plenty of interference late and the steward's report will be a decent read.
Runner-Up: VICTORY IN HAND jumped with the first few and was hustled up to eventually find itself one off the rails behind the leaders as they turned. Eased three off the fence in between runners in the lane and let down inside the eventual winner as they got very tight on the line. Has now finished runner-up at his past three starts and is nearing a win.
Run Of The Race: JOYFUL WIN was wide the trip without much cover but still had the audacity to run through the line.
Disappointment: The interference in the race. Was a very rough run affair.
Comparison: Right on standard which adds merit to the winner's effort travelling wide the journey.
Market Movers: VICTORY IN HAND $6.5 to $3.7
RACE – 5 KOWLOON TSAI HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.39 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record 1:08.92 Amazing Star
Winner: FIRE BALL (NZ 4yo g Burgundy – Lady Winifred) exited gate six cleanly and found himself one off the fence in behind the leading trio inside the 800m. Rated perfectly by Joao approaching the turn and stole runs along the fence before pulling out three wide on straightening to set after them. Raced to the lead with 100m to go and held off all challenges late under heavy riding. Another masterclass from Moreira. The Burgundy gelding had shown better form at Sha Tin but breaks through here and will take plenty of confidence from that performance.
Runner-Up: NOBLE DESIRE pounced out of the machine and settled inside the eventual winner in the middle stages. Was a bit flat-footed when asked as they turned but darted back to the rails for a final effort 200m to go. Was strong along the fence late but was no match for the winner. That's four placings from his past five starts and will pay to follow.
Run Of The Race: EXUBERANT jumped at $164 and was beaten less than a length into a closing third. Also pay to forgive the run of SUPERB DADDY who only got out late and looked to have plenty left in the locker.
Disappointment: WHISKEY NEAT jumped in single figures but worked too hard early and could only manage 11th beaten eight lengths.
Comparison: Comfortably inside standard with a decent clip set early.
Market Mover: NOBLE DESIRE $26 to $8.2
RACE – 6 LOK FU HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:39.62 Standard Time: 1:40.10 Course/Class Record: 1:38.83 Flying Elite
Winner: MORE THAN ENOUGH (NZ 4yo g Dalghar – Worship) copped a slight bump as he left the gates but managed to find cover three deep and track Thunder Stomp as they settled into the back straight. Got a perfect cart up into the turn and steadily worked his way into the mix. Launched down the centre of the track late under heavy riding by Callan and has now had a win and two placings from five attempts at the track and trip.
Runner-Up: REGENCY MASTER left awkwardly and was jagged back to last on the rails. Faced a wall of runners as they turned for home but eventually worked his way to the centre of the track to let down for one final sprint at the 200m mark. Finished strongly over the final furlong but just couldn't pick up the winner late.
Run Of The Race: REGENCY MASTER jumped at $23 and only got clear air in the final section to just miss. Will pay to follow.
Disappointment: No real disappointments as you could throw a handkerchief over the favoured runners.
Comparison: Quicker than standard in a real bunched finish.
Market Mover: PLIKCLONE $12 to $5.9
RACE – 7 FUNG MO HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.39 Standard Time: 1:09.65 Course/Class Record: 1:08.68 Speed Vision
Winner: BE READY (AUS 5yo g Love Conquers All – Orient Success) surged out of the machine to go up and take a sit outside the leader in the initial stages. Pinched a breather in the middle sectionals and came back underneath Purton to travel sweetly approaching the turn. Was asked for an effort 250m from home and really extended under heavy riding to win quite easily at the post. After five placings from 12 starts he finally breaks through for that elusive victory.
Runner-Up: HERCULES didn't have the early speed to take advantage of the low draw and ended up in the back half of the field on the fence when they balanced up. Stole some runs along the inside and let down strongly late but was never a winning chance.
Run Of The Race: BE READY had to burn the candle at both ends and was simply too good. Can go on with it now with winning confidence.
Disappointment: DAILY BEAUTY jumped a $3.4 favourite but could only manage ninth beaten five lengths.
Comparison: A tick quicker than standard which accentuates the quality of the winner's run.
Market Mover: CALIFORNIA CONCORD $11 to $3.6
RACE – 8 FUNG MO HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3– Rating 80-60 – Turf – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.34 Standard Time: 1:09.65 Course/Class Record: 1:08.68 Speed Vision
Winner: HARMONY N HOME (IRE 5yo g Slade Power – Keepers Hill) jumped cleanly from gate three and found himself in a perfect position one off the fence trailing the leading pack. Got going nearing the turn and balanced up for one final surge down the centre of the straight. They were stretched across the track over the final stages but Purton gets another winner after a well-timed ride. Harmony N Home takes his record to two wins from 15 starts with Purton being on board for both victories.
Runner-Up: JOYFUL UNION elected to sit behind the leaders from gate one and had a soft run in transit inside the eventual winner. Was slightly blocked for a run upon straightening but pushed his way clear with 200m to go. By that time the winner had already built momentum and the bird had flown.
Run Of The Race: JOYFUL UNION only got clear running in the final stages and may have finished closer if he could've got going sooner.
Disappointment: SOARING TOWER jumped favourite but never really got into the contest and could only manage second-last.
Comparison: Just inside standard in another bunched finish.
Market Mover: STOCK LEGEND $9 to $5.8
RACE – 9 JUNCTION HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:39.58 Standard Time: 1:39.80 Course/Class Record: 1:38.61 Solar Wai Wai
Winner: FARSHAD (GER 7yo g Kendargent – Forever Midnight) jumped from gate one perfectly and managed to push up along the rails to lead quite easily as they left the straight the first time. Stole some cheap sectionals in the back straight and was left alone to his own devices in front. Travelled sweetly as they turned and was only clicked up with 250m to go. Held off all challenges late in what was a peach of a front-running ride by Teetan. Farshad is in career-best form with two wins and a second from his past three starts.
Runner-Up: SURREALISM jumped outside the winner in gate two and managed to track him on the fence the entire trip. Got going when asked in the straight but the winner had it too easy in front and couldn't bridge the gap.
Run Of The Race: We'll rename this Ride Of The Race as Teetan got away with highway robbery in front never being tested in the lead.
Disappointment: WEALTHY DELIGHT jumped $2.9 but failed to flatter into ninth.
Comparison: Just quicker than standard with the ride being the difference.
Market Mover: FARSHAD $13 to $8.5