3 minute read

Selections and analysis for Thursday's (04/01/24) 08-race fixture at Happy Valley.

Race 1: #4 Triumphant Warrior, #1 Golden Long, #5 Beauty Infinity, #3 King Eccellente
Race 2: #9 Colonel, #10 Shinkansen, #2 Royal Pride, #5 Lucky Symphony
Race 3: #7 Happy Jai Jai, #1 Big Two, #2 Tactical Command, #6 Regency Happy Star
Race 4: #3 Kasa Papa, #2 Dragon Star, #9 Strongest Boy, #7 Win Win Fighter
Race 5: #8 Same To You, #5 Life Is Good, #1 Harmony Fire, #9 Oversubscribed
Race 6: #10 Foolish Heart, #11 M Unicorn, #1 Moments In Time, #4 Gallant Waking
Race 7: #5 Excellent Fighter, #7 Beauty Waves, #4 Bon's A Pearla, #3 Superb Capitalist
Race 8: #10 Goko Win, #2 Son Pak Fu, #1 Howdeepisyourlove, #6 Majestic Knight

Race 1: Lark Handicap (2nd Section)

#4 Triumphant Warrior caught the eye on debut and he can improve following that effort. He looks to have a fair bit of ability and will just need an ounce of luck from the draw to be competitive. #1 Golden Long was impressive when winning first-up in Hong Kong. He'll need to improve again with the added weight this time. #5 Beauty Infinity finished third on debut. Expecting improvement from him. #3 King Eccellente has the runs on the board and the race experience to prove super competitive.

Race 2: Lark Handicap (1st Section)

#9 Colonel can fire through to lead this group, just as he has done previously. He slots in light and is dangerous off this mark, even from the wide draw, which he should cross early from in a bid to overcome it. One to catch. #10 Shinkansen has been competitive in Hong Kong without winning. He gets his chance here under the featherweight impost with Karis Teetan engaged. #2 Royal Pride mixes his form but knows how to win on his day. #5 Lucky Symphony makes his debut and looks to have some talent. Keep safe.

Race 3: Mesia Handicap

#7 Happy Jai Jai is consistent and this will be rewarded soon enough. He gets his chance to secure another win here with an in-form Jerry Chau. #1 Big Two caught the eye in a recent trial at Conghua and he can return to form here. He just needs to overcome the wide gate, however, the drop in grade is an added advantage. #2 Tactical Command mixes his form but has shown that there is some talent there. He must be respected. #6 Regency Happy Star is closing in on a first win. He's consistent and has claims.

Race 4: The Hong Kong Golf Club Centenary Cup Handicap

#3 Kasa Papa is still yet to win. He's been racing well this season though, and the return to a mile should enhance his claims. He's worth another shot. #2 Dragon Star is chasing a hat-trick of wins. He's in career-best form at the minute and he'll find the front to lead this group. He can continue his ascent. #9 Strongest Boy has finished second in his last two starts. He's found his groove and can prove competitive again. #7 Win Win Fighter can use the inside gate to his advantage. Next in line.

Race 5: Robin Handicap

#8 Same To You returns first-up following a very lengthy layoff. He should be a decent price here and it wouldn't surprise to see him fire through and lead. Expecting sharp improvement with injuries now behind him. #5 Life Is Good won well last start and there is no reason to suggest he hasn't remained in the same or better condition. #1 Harmony Fire draws well and should get his chance close to the speed. #9 Oversubscribed will be coming hard and late. He's aiming for back-to-back wins.

Race 6: Nightjar Handicap

#10 Foolish Heart is a nice horse and he continues to progress. He slots in light here and can easily put his best foot forward, especially after proving super competitive last time out. One to beat. #11 M Unicorn rises in grade seeking his fourth win this season. He's in sublime form and the featherweight affords him every chance. #1 Moments In Time is racing well and draws ideally. He can save ground and take his shot at this lot. #4 Gallant Waking is next in line. He caught the eye late last start.

Race 7: Sea Eagle Handicap

#5 Excellent Fighter can improve third-up. He's a hot little talent and although he hasn't shown his best form yet this term, he is still a very good horse, one that is capable of winning in Class 3. #7 Beauty Waves has done incredibly well across three starts in Hong Kong, albeit without a win. #4 Bon's A Pearla has largely struggled so far, however, she is capable of surprising for a win and her latest effort was excellent. #3 Superb Capitalist is the likely leader. He deserves a shot at atonement.

Race 8: Albatross Handicap

#10 Goko Win slots in light and has been racing well all season. He gets another shot here in what is shaping as a really difficult contest. He can continue to improve and is worth taking a chance on as a knockout hope at odds, something he has done in the past. #2 Son Pak Fu is after a hat-trick of wins. He'll shoulder more weight but this isn't a hindrance. #1 Howdeepisyourlove has been sparingly raced this term. Need to see more. #6 Majestic Knight is next in line. He's doing well this term.