3 minute read

Selections and analysis for Wednesday's (18/10/23) 09-race fixture at Happy Valley.

Race 1: #3 Modest Gentleman, #5 Miracles, #9 Happily Friends, #2 Fingers Crossed
Race 2: #10 Diamond Flare, #9 Ace Talent, #5 Happy United, #1 A Americ Te Specso
Race 3: #2 Sight Hero, #1 Righteous Arion, #11 Magic Traveller, #3 Hero Star
Race 4: #5 Turtle Again, #2 Yee Cheong Warrior, #3 Right Honourable, #10 Tsuen Wan Glory
Race 5: #3 Telecom Speed, #8 Round The Globe, #5 Harmony N Home, #1 Solid Shalaa
Race 6: #2 Master Tornado, #8 Amazing Boy, #6 M Unicorn, #1 Kasa Papa
Race 7: #12 Thesis, #2 Romantic Laos, #10 Silver Sonic, #3 Viva Hunter
Race 8: #11 Happy Golf, #3 Wonder Kit, #6 Capital Delight, #1 Dragon's Luck
Race 9: #1 Son Pak Fu, #3 Hoss, #5 Call Me Dandy, #2 Lucky Eight

Race 1: Success Handicap

#3 Modest Gentleman caught the eye in a recent barrier trial. He's tumbled down the handicap to the bottom grade and has shown quality in the past. He's suited here, especially from the draw. #5 Miracles should get his chance on the speed. Expecting he crosses to lead under Zac Purton. #9 Happily Friends performed well first-up and can improve following that effort. He has the ideal draw here, which should afford him the run of the race. #2 Fingers Crossed is next in line. Keep safe.

Race 2: Swifty Handicap

#10 Diamond Flare has the right barrier and he should use this to find the front. He's shown his capabilities at times but he gets an excellent chance here, that is, if positive tactics are employed. #9 Ace Talent tends to mix his form but he can cross early to offset the awkward draw. He gets his chance. #5 Happy United knows how to win but will need to overcome a tricky gate. His latest trial at Conghua was quite strong. #1 A Americ Te Specso is next in line. He can improve back in this grade.

Race 3: Flying Handicap (2nd Section)

#2 Sight Hero has returned in sound condition this season. He does his best racing at Happy Valley and can improve drastically here, especially from a suitable draw with Hugh Bowman aboard. #1 Righteous Arion is a classy horse and he remains a major threat. He's consistent and ticks a lot of boxes in this race. #11 Magic Traveller caught the eye in a recent trial at Happy Valley. He has more ability than his three starts so far in Hong Kong suggest. #3 Hero Star has claims and can make his presence felt.

Race 4: Victory Handicap

#5 Turtle Again continues to make all of the necessary improvements. He's tracking towards a first win and the ideal gate gives him the right chance. #2 Yee Cheong Warrior has returned in good condition this campaign. He narrowly missed last start and it wouldn't surprise to see him atone for that effort here. He'll get his chance under an in-form Hugh Bowman. #3 Right Honourable mixes his form but on his day he's capable of winning against this group. #10 Tsuen Wan Glory is next in line.

Race 5: The LONGINES Cup Handicap (1st Section)

#3 Telecom Speed closed nicely first-up this season. Expecting improvement from that run and he gets his chance this week, especially in this grade with a suitable riding choice. #8 Round The Globe was caught late last start. He did well in the lead and the same is expected again from him this week. He can find the front easily from gate two. #5 Harmony N Home returns and did trial well recently. He's in sound condition and can fire first-up. #1 Solid Shalaa can improve in this grade. Keep safe.

Race 6: Horsepower Handicap

#2 Master Tornado should already be a winner in Hong Kong. He's done well so far without prevailing, however, he gets a super chance from an ideal draw with Alexis Badel up this time. He'll race on the speed and take beating. #8 Amazing Boy should come on following his first-up effort. He has claims here. #6 M Unicorn is chasing back-to-back wins. He was nothing short of impressive last start. #1 Kasa Papa just needs to overcome the sticky draw. He's up against it, although his form this term is sound.

Race 7: Racing Spirit Handicap

#12 Thesis slots in light and returns following an impressive trial at Conghua. He's taken his time to acclimatise to Hong Kong racing, however, he looks set to improve drastically this season for trainer Frankie Lor with a summer break under his belt. #2 Romantic Laos is chasing back-to-back wins. He draws well and Zac Purton retains the ride. #10 Silver Sonic did well first-up. He must overcome the wide draw for an in-form Francis Lui stable. #3 Viva Hunter should lead and he'll give this group something to run down.

Race 8: Speedy Handicap (2nd Section)

#11 Happy Golf was very good first-up and he can take another step forward. He made ground from the tail of the field and a better draw this week should see him take up a prominent position throughout. One to beat. #3 Wonder Kit is in the right vein of form. He has an ideal barrier and jockey combination. #6 Capital Delight soared home last start for dead-heat victory. He'll be making his presence felt once more. #1 Dragon's Luck will need to overcome the awkward draw. Still, he has claims and a bit of ability. 

Race 9: Speedy Handicap (1st Section)

#1 Son Pak Fu caught the eye in a recent trial, crossing the line first in fine style. Expecting he can make a winning return here, especially from an ideal draw in the right grade. One to beat. #3 Hoss can bounce back following an ordinary first-up run. He's better than that and improvement is expected. #5 Call Me Dandy has his fair share of class. He has a difficult draw to overcome for his Happy Valley debut. #2 Lucky Eight should cross and press for the lead with the apprentice engaged. Next in line.