3 minute read

Selections and analysis for Wednesday's (08/11/23) 09-race fixture at Happy Valley.

Race 1: #1 Rattan World, #5 Devil And Gold, #7 Dashing Triumph, #10 Fortune Turbo
Race 2: #7 Podium, #5 Happy Trio, #11 Regent Glory, #9 Kasi Farasi
Race 3: #9 Double Show, #2 Nice Birdie, #3 Happy Jai Jai, #8 Medic Elite
Race 4: #9 King Invincible, #1 Sergeant Pepper, #5 G One Excellent, #3 Fortune Warrior
Race 5: #3 Super Baby, #5 Lucky Banner, #8 Strongest Boy, #7 Amazing Boy
Race 6: #12 Lyrical Motion, #4 Togepi, #7 Round The Globe, #1 A Americ Te Specso
Race 7: #11 Intrepid Winner, #1 Sweet Encounter, #8 Lean Hero, #2 Perfect Team
Race 8: #4 Seizing The Moment, #1 Lightning Bolt, #7 Sweet Briar, #10 Ready To Win
Race 9: #8 Goko Win, #3 Nordic Dragon, #10 Reward Smile, #4 Campione 

Race 1: Big Wave Bay Handicap 

 #1 Rattan World makes a crucial step down to Class 5. He carries top weight, although his latest effort from the tail of the field was nothing short of eye-catching. Expecting him to improve sharply against this group. #5 Devil And Gold draws much better this time. He can save ground along the rail and take his shot. #7 Dashing Triumph has been racing well and is closing in on another win. He has an ideal draw and is favoured with Zac Purton up. #10 Fortune Turbo can find the rail and lead. He'll look the winner at some stage out in front. 

Race 2: Chung Hom Kok Handicap (2nd Section) 

 #7 Podium has shown much better potential on the turf as opposed to the dirt. Expecting he can improve sharply here from an ideal draw. He's worth taking a chance on. #5 Happy Trio is in superb form and can take another step forward following narrow defeat last time out. He just needs to overcome the draw. #11 Regent Glory has the ideal racing pattern and suitable draw here to be very competitive for the in-form Karis Teetan and David Hayes. #9 Kasi Farasi knows what it's about and should get his opportunity. 

Race 3: Deep Water Bay Handicap 

 #9 Double Show is in superb form. He's yet to win but has shown significant capabilities at times across his career in Hong Kong. He might be the one here. #2 Nice Birdie has done his best racing at Happy Valley. He can improve a stack returning to his preferred course and distance, especially armed with an ideal draw. He's the value and is worth taking each way. #3 Happy Jai Jai should receive a sweet run for Zac Purton. He continues to race well and remains a massive threat. #8 Medic Elite should be right there as always. Keep safe. 

Race 4: Middle Bay Handicap 

 #9 King Invincible has shown his qualities several times. He has the ability, however, he's been unable to put it all together for a win. Still, he's developing nicely and this contest appears awfully suitable. #1 Sergeant Pepper has gone agonisingly close twice this season. He gets his opportunity once more with Zac Purton up. #5 G One Excellent can improve with two runs under his belt. He knows what it takes to win over this course and distance. #3 Fortune Warrior mixes his form but there's clearly ability there. Keep safe. 

Race 5: The Community Chest Cup Handicap 

 #3 Super Baby has led and won before and it wouldn't surprise to see him try that here from an ideal draw under Luke Ferraris. He can improve and this contest is suitable. #5 Lucky Banner narrowly missed last start. He'll be doing plenty right here to atone for that effort, especially third-up now with two runs under his belt. #8 Strongest Boy has shown ability across his career, even without winning. He'll get his opportunity for Zac Purton. #7 Amazing Boy will improve again and the inside barrier is favourable. Don't discount. 

Race 6: Chung Hom Kok Handicap (1st Section) 

 #12 Lyrical Motion ran a blinder first-up. Expecting sharp improvement here under no weight and from an ideal draw. He's doing well and appears in very good shape for Caspar Fownes. #4 Togepi has his fair of ability and is open to improvement. He'll just need to overcome the wide draw, which will be difficult against this group. #7 Round The Globe is the obvious pace in the race, especially from the inside gate. He'll take catching. #1 A Americ Te Specso is much better suited in this grade. Strong booking of Zac Purton warrants respect. 

Race 7: Repulse Bay Handicap 

 #11 Intrepid Winner was brilliant first-up. He was caught without room before charging home late. He can take another step forward here and the low weight is a big, big plus. #1 Sweet Encounter has a significant class-edge. He's been dealt a terrible draw and the hefty impost could easily bring him undone. Still, he does get Zac Purton up. #8 Lean Hero was a tidy winner two starts ago and has remained at a strong level of form. #2 Perfect Team continues to improve and he can do so again. Nice winner last start on dirt. 

Race 8: Shek O Handicap 

 #4 Seizing The Moment can improve back to favourable conditions, which he gets here. He's a winner off this mark before and this contest doesn't appear overly strong. Expect significant improvement. #1 Lightning Bolt is after a hat-trick of wins. He's in superb condition and Zac Purton takes the ride from an ideal draw. #7 Sweet Briar is a two-time winner already. He's got his fair share of class and has returned in excellent order this season. #10 Ready To Win was a tidy first-up winner. He's up in grade but has little weight to contend with here. 

Race 9: Stanley Handicap 

 #8 Goko Win is a nice horse and his latest run wasn't ideal. He can improve from that effort after travelling wide, without cover and at the tail of the field. He's suited from an inside draw and it wouldn't surprise to see him take the right step forward. #3 Nordic Dragon is a smart horse and Zac Purton's pairing is worth consideration. #10 Reward Smile slots in light again which is hugely ideal. He'll be closing fast, just as he has done in the past. #4 Campione gets the apprentice's claim. He's first-up but can contend strongly.