3 minute read

Selections and analysis for Wednesday's (22/11/23) 08-race fixture at Happy Valley.

Race 1: #3 Charming Steed, #1 Ernest Feeling, #4 Nordic Combined, #9 Fighting Star
Race 2: #2 Get The Monies, #7 Regency Happy Star, #11 Super Joy, #3 President's Choice
Race 3: #11 Sure Joyful, #7 Club Soda, #9 Happy Angel, #10 Palace Pal
Race 4: #6 Prosperous Smile, #4 Savvy Delight, #8 Circuit Seven, #10 Oversubscribed
Race 5: #9 Super Elite, #11 Right Honourable, #2 Durham Star, #3 Running Ahead
Race 6: #6 Golden Rise, #4 Scotch Tycoon, #1 Jumbo Legend, #5 High Percentage
Race 7: #8 Maldives, #3 All Is Good, #6 E Legend, #11 Foolish Heart
Race 8: #11 Naboo Legend, #2 Brave Star, #5 Sugar Sugar, #6 Colourful Emperor 

 Race 1: Tai Lam Chung Handicap 

 #3 Charming Steed has a nice draw and he should get an economical run throughout. He's in the right vein of form and is more than capable of scoring another win at Happy Valley. #1 Ernest Feeling returns first-up in a bid to capture back-to-back wins. He has the right draw and remains in the bottom grade which is suitable. #4 Nordic Combined was super impressive when winning last time out. He has another awkward draw but does remain in Class 5. #9 Fighting Star is better on the turf and he should improve accordingly. 

Race 2: Shek Pik Handicap 

 #2 Get The Monies is better than his record suggests. He can use the good draw this time to his advantage and significant improvement is expected. He'll be right there and should be decent value against this group. #7 Regency Happy Star turned his form around last start and can carry that level of racing through with him this week. #11 Super Joy has the right draw and can use this to his advantage. He can improve second-up with a light weight. #3 President's Choice has the class edge but a wide draw to overcome. Keep safe.  

Race 3: Tai Tam Handicap 

 #11 Sure Joyful is tracking towards another win this season. He's in superb form and his last run for third was outstanding. He slots in light and rates strongly against this group. One to beat. #7 Club Soda had a tricky debut and he can improve following that effort, especially with leading rider Zac Purton hopping up. Major threat. #9 Happy Angel should lead and prove hard to get past. The inside draw suits his racing pattern. #10 Palace Pal was impressive last start. He can improve once more for new trainer David Hall. 

Race 4: Shek Lei Pui Handicap 

 #6 Prosperous Smile makes his debut. He's trialled well leading up to his first start and the inside draw is suitable, especially if they elect to roll forward with him. One to beat, looks talented. #4 Savvy Delight has consistency on his side and is armed with a good draw this week. #8 Circuit Seven should press forward under Zac Purton. He's tough and is a very handy horse over this course and distance. #10 Oversubscribed could be suited by the pace. He slots in light and has claims with Alexis Badel remaining up. 

Race 5: The American Club Challenge Cup Handicap 

 #9 Super Elite is steadily finding form and he has an ideal draw once again. His fitness should be close to peaking and the booking of Alexis Badel is a plus. #11 Right Honourable was a tidy winner last time out. He'll take his chance again here, although rising back to Class 4 will prove a much tougher task. #2 Durham Star is chasing back-to-back wins. He's drawn ideally and can prove a formidable force this week. #3 Running Ahead has ability and he is much better suited to Class 4. Expect improvement. 

Race 6: Plover Cove Handicap 

 #6 Golden Rise caught the eye on debut and he can improve following that effort. He was fourth that day and does appear to be yet another high-quality talent in the John Size stable. #4 Scotch Tycoon did well last start and looks set to take another step forward. He's racing well and is much better suited to this grade. #1 Jumbo Legend can mix his form but does have a stack of class on his day. The booking of Vincent Ho bears close watching. #5 High Percentage has an ideal draw and has been performing well of late. Next in line. 

Race 7: Kam Shan Handicap 

 #8 Maldives is racing well and can improve over his preferred course and distance. He's fit, well placed and shapes as the one to beat, assuming he gets a race run to suit. #3 All Is Good is after a fifth straight win. He's maintaining a superb level of form this season and does remain paired with leading jockey Zac Purton. The step up in trip is the only query. #6 E Legend mixes his form but is tough on his day. Expecting he finds the front from the positive draw. #11 Foolish Heart can continue to improve. There's some quality there. 

Race 8: High Island Handicap 

 #11 Naboo Legend is a quality horse. He's mixed his form so far in Hong Kong, however, the ideal draw and low impost can see him improve. Expecting he parks close to the speed and gives this group something to reel in. #2 Brave Star is a very nice horse, however, he'll need to overcome an awkward gate. #5 Sugar Sugar remains in form and very rarely runs a bad race. The inside gate is a positive for his chances. #6 Colourful Emperor is taking the right steps forward and pairs favourably with Zac Purton. Keep safe.