3 minute read

Selections and analysis for Sunday’s (29/10/23) 10-race fixture at Happy Valley.

Race 1: #7 Brilliant Pioneer, #4 Theta Hedge, #2 Devil And Gold, #3 Starry Night
Race 2: #8 Total Power, #2 Packing Hurricane, #1 Natural Storm, #4 Turin Mascot
Race 3: #11 Smart Beauty, #7 Eagle Run, #3 United Endeavors, #6 Viva A La
Race 4: #1 Jumbo Legend, #7 King Invincible, #10 Circuit Seven, #5 Valiant Elegance
Race 5: #10 Horse Of Good Luck, #8 Durham Star, #5 Golden Bull, #9 Management Folks
Race 6: #10 Diamond Flare, #2 Juneau Flash, #4 Golden Link, #9 Lucky Planet
Race 7: #9 Reward Smile, #1 Kurpany, #2 Majestic Star, #4 Whizz Kid
Race 8: #1 Royal Pride, #5 Reach Goal, #8 Dazzling Fellow, #6 Forever Glorious
Race 9: #1 Atomic Force, #5 Brave Star, #8 Smokey Bear, #3 Excellent Peers
Race 10: #11 June Planet, #7 Lean Hero, #9 Nicholson Returns, #8 Big Red

Race 1: Chaozhou Handicap

#7 Brilliant Pioneer caught the eye late last start. He's in the right grade and this contest appears more than suitable for him to be collecting a first win. One to beat. #4 Theta Hedge can improve second-up but hasn't drawn well this week. He's in the right grade, however, and should be able to make his presence felt. #2 Devil And Gold has tumbled down to Class 5. This is his grade and his latest barrier trial was impressive. #3 Starry Night is next in line. He gets an opportunity.

Race 2: Guangzhou Handicap

#8 Total Power gets a handy weight relief at the bottom of the handicap. He's racing well and appears ready for the step up in distance this week. Once to beat. #2 Packing Hurricane has his fair share of class and does look ready to further ascend the handicap. He should get a sweet run from the positive draw, even against the small field. #1 Natural Storm knows how to win over this course and distance. He's the class runner of the field. #4 Turin Mascot is next in line. He was a track and trip winner last term.

Race 3: Dongguan Handicap

#11 Smart Beauty narrowly missed two runs back. He's remained in sound condition and the right luck could easily see him win this contest. One to catch under a favourable impost. #7 Eagle Run has found his feet now in Hong Kong. He has an awkward draw to overcome, but he is doing plenty right ahead of this weekend. #3 United Endeavors has a favourable seven pounds taken off his back with the apprentice up. He can bounce back following a mediocre first-up effort. #6 Viva A La is in superb form. Keep safe.

Race 4: Foshan Handicap

#1 Jumbo Legend looks primed to run a big race first-up. He's trialled well enough and should get a sweet run in transit from gate one. The five-pound claim from apprentice Alfred Chan is a bonus, especially in Class 4. #7 King Invincible is a winner in waiting. He's a solid talent, who does continue to take the right steps forward each week. Expect improvement again with Zac Purton up. #10 Circuit Seven can take up a forward position and give this group something to worry about. #5 Valiant Elegance is next best.

Race 5: Huizhou Handicap

#10 Horse Of Good Luck should see his fitness improve quite a bit following his first-up effort. Expecting he leads again, which he is better suited to do at Happy Valley, especially against this group. #8 Durham Star should get a dream run from gate two. He's the likely race favourite here for Zac Purton. #5 Golden Bull has an ideal draw and will relish the rise in trip. He's unlucky not to already be a winner in Hong Kong. #9 Management Folks is in career-best form and he'll be finishing off late and fast.

Race 6: Shantou Handicap

#10 Diamond Flare can lead this group and should be looking to do so with the apprentice engaged. He slots in light and will take some catching, that is, if they employ those tactics. #2 Juneau Flash has ability and will be fit. He was awfully unlucky last start and can improve. #4 Golden Link went super close last start. He can continue to race at that level of form this weekend. #9 Lucky Planet is better than his form suggests and he did well in his latest trial. He can improve out of sight this week from an ideal draw. 

Race 7: The Kwangtung Handicap Cup

#9 Reward Smile can make the most of a fast pace. He slots in super light with only 115lb assigned and his best form still looks in front of him. #1 Kurpany gets five pounds removed thanks to appointment of the apprentice. He loves this course, distance and grade. Expecting a big run this weekend. #2 Majestic Star can prove competitive as he always does. He's consistent and will be right there in the finish. #4 Whizz Kid gets the right draw. He'll be trying to make all, however, several others will do so also. 

Race 8: Shenzen Handicap

#1 Royal Pride is ready to win and he gets a superb chance this weekend. He's in the right vein of form and pairs favourably with Luke Ferraris, who has won aboard the horse before. His race to lose. #5 Reach Goal has a suitable gate. He turned in an eye-catching first-up effort. Expecting further improvement here. #8 Dazzling Fellow is chasing back-to-back wins. He rises in grade but won't look out of place one bit. #6 Forever Glorious has his fair share of ability. Expecting a solid run from an ideal draw.

Race 9: Zhaoqing Handicap

#1 Atomic Force is third-up and looks well placed to figure strongly. He's fit, in sound condition and appears ready to win again for the in-form Caspar Fownes stable. #5 Brave Star is a super talent who continues to improve. Expecting the same again from him and his latest trial at Conghua was very, very impressive. #8 Smokey Bear has claims and should get his opportunity, especially now that he's a winner. #3 Excellent Peers has the apprentice engaged from an ideal draw. He'll get the right run and his chance will present.

Race 10: Zhuhai Handicap

#11 June Planet is after a hat-trick of wins. He continues to rise and slots in light this week, which is favourable as he steps up to Class 3. He can win again. #7 Lean Hero was impressive last time out and he will have remained in that vein of form. He has an ideal draw and jockey this weekend. #9 Nicholson Returns is first-up but has always proven to be a very consistent galloper. Expecting the same from him here. #8 Big Red has been knocking on the door for some time now and he's not without a chance. Keep safe.