3 minute read

Brett Davis provides exclusive preview of Happy Valley races.

Rail - A Course

Race 1

#8 HAPPILY FRIENDS has returned to racing in excellent form this preparation and is a terrific chance of getting it done. His previous win came first up last season of a rating of thirty eight and has gone close at his two runs back. A favourable low draw is exactly what's required, and that's precisely what he's got, so it's now up to Mathew Chadwick to get the job done third time lucky.
#7 DASHING TRIUMPH has zipped home nicely over the concluding stages of his last two runs and the leading jockey is now jumping aboard. With fitness reaching its optimum level he's perfectly positioned to handle the rise up in distance to 1200m. He maps to receive the run of the race so there shouldn't be too many excuses.
#1 RATTEN WORLD finds his way into class 5 and should be included amongst the main hopes. He went good at Sha Tin first up when hitting the line hard so you can only expect further improvement to follow. He did however start at 91/1 on that particular occasion, which highlights his lack of previous form, but the run was a definite indication that he's going better this time around.
#6 SOARING TOWER has been a disappointing performer, it's fair to say, after promising so much during the initial few months of his racing career. He was right in the betting first up, before just plodding to the line, and has since been given time to regroup. During the aforementioned break he's trialled three times and has travelled comfortably on each occasion. If he's anywhere near right he'll win this with ease but is becoming a liability.
#11 BELLE OF VICTORY joined the Douglas Whyte stable in the off season break before returning with a luckless narrow defeat. He's struggled, however, throughout his career to make any real impression on the score sheet, with that result the first sign of any serious grunt. Nevertheless, he backed it nicely at his next attempt so he's considered a hope.

Selections : 8,7,1,6,11

R2 - 11,2,1,3,4

R3 - 8,3,1,9,12

R4 - 6,9,11,1,2

R5 -  8,7,12,5,6

R6 - 7,1,5,9,12

R7 - 4,8,2,11,6

R8 - 1,7,10,6,4

Race 9

#10 REWARD SMILE ventures back to Happy Valley following a cracking run in defeat at Sha Tin where he cost himself the result by racing on speed. He then displayed excellent skills and grit at Happy Valley last start when getting too far out of his ground early on. With 4 races now behind him he should be cheery ripe and is recognised as one of the better bets on the night.
#11 SON PAK FU emerged onto the scene last season with 4 explosive wins over this track and distance. He then showed us first up that he's far from the finished product with a hard chasing run in defeat. Conquering class 2 is now his challenge and with the light weight I wouldn't be writing him off just yet.
#3 NORDIC DRAGON has legitimate excuses to why his two runs back didn't end up as wins. The key tonight is a return to the city circuit, and under lights, where he's won half of his entire career starts. An additional trial since his last start has displayed him feeling well so he's going to take a fair amount of defeating.
#6 BUNDLE OF CHARM draws awkwardly in barrier 12 but can still position handy to the speed with a clean jump. Karis Teetan can then attack the leaders approaching the home bend before dashing hard at the line. He's only been in this grade for a short space of time, so he'll need a lift, but is racing with great enthusiasm and heart.
#8 GOKO WIN has a patchy overall record since arriving from Brisbane/Australia but is more than capable in this grade. He was only beaten once down under with two of those victories on the poly track at the Sunshine Coast. Transferring to Happy Valley now for the first time appears a good direction to take, and I wouldn't be surprised if he runs a strong competitive race.

Selections : 10,11,3,6,8