3 minute read

Brett Davis provides exclusive preview of Happy Valley races.

Rail - B Course

Race 1

#3 COLONEL has made a career out of leading races with frantic speed and that's precisely what he'll do again tonight.He'll easily have the two runners drawn underneath him covered for pace which enables him to find the rail.Once the established leader, he'll run solid sectionals up to the home bend before kicking hard down the straight.With class 5 horses chasing him for only the fourth time in his career it's highly probable he'll remain uncatchable.

#1 RATTAN WORLD was the perfect example of an inconsistent class 5 galloper but finally broke through two starts ago for a much anticipated win.He was checked badly on the dirt three runs back, which warranted excuses, before Zac Purton backed up for another attempt on the turf and got the money.His performance was strong, considering the awkward draw and chequered passage, so it wasn't a surprise to see him run well again last start.Anton Hamelin now jumps aboard for the very first time and drawing the inside barrier is gold.

#2 WIND SPEEDER has been a costly conveyance if you've backed him regularly but this does appear a race where he can find the frame.He should've got the cash three runs back after being caught right off the track, then two starts ago got involved in a traffic jam when the race was there to be won.Zac Purton then jumped aboard last start but he unfortunately found bother on two separate occasions.Jerry Chau now takes over the reigns and he's racing well enough to feature.

#6 NORDIC COMBINED has raced primarily at Sha Tin this campaign and in the process continually found the line with purpose from positions well back.However, the bigger field sizes at headquarters have definitely made it more difficult to weave a passage so a return to the city circuit is the new plan.Remembering, he won first up over this very course and trip by a big space.

#10 VIVA A LA has been racing over varying distances all season and mixing his race pattern at the same time.He could well be looking for the spot outside the expected leader COLONEL, which is a strong chance of happening.With a forward striking position established he should then finish hard enough to be thereabouts, so be weary of leaving him out.

Selections : 3,1,2,6,10

Race 2

#4 BIG TWO didn't enjoy his experience on the dirt two starts back so you can put a pen through that poor performance and focus on prior run's.His fourth, and first run in this class back in January, was an excellent effort in defeat considering he was badly checked down the home straight.Another untimely bump out the gates saw him settle well back last start before again being checked in the home straight.Harry Bentley remains in the saddle and the pair are due for a change of luck, so I'm tipping they'll get away cleanly tonight and prove the hardest to beat.

#3 MEDIC ELITE has been performing consistently all season for the unstoppable stable of Pierre Ng and it's not beyond him to go back to back.A switch from Purton to Bowman see's nothing lost in the riding ranks and he's come up with the exact same draw.A 5lbs rise in weight to carry may prove to be the deciding and derailing factor, but let's not forget he does remain in the lowest and easiest grade.

#10 BRILLIANT PIONEER ran a career best two starts back over the Happy Valley 1650m when closing in fast from behind.Trainer Ricky Yui made the decision prior to that event to take the pacifier's off and he responded accordingly.The check pieces then went on for the first time last outing which combined with the rise in distance, but unfortunately didn't have the desired affect.Now he returns back to 1650m and is therefore entitled to another chance.

#2 STORMTROUPER is a winner of just the one race but is a better animal than his overall form suggests.A drop into the lowest grade last start was precisely what he needed but unfortunately from the low draw he was held up badly in the home stretch.He's fit and hasn't been faraway in much tougher races in the past so despite the wide gate should be included.

#7 REGENCY HAPPY STAR went extremely close to winning a similar race to this at the end of last year.Gates twelve and thirteen took care of any chance he had two and three back and the awkward start was costly recently.Nevertheless, he can certainly atone from a low draw, and with the top jockey moving elsewhere he'll be worth another chance at the right and correct price.

Selections : 4,3,10,2,7

R3 - 10,1,2,3,4

R4 - 2,1,5,6,7

R5 - 4,7,3,9,2

R6 - 5,9,6,1,8

R7 - 4,3,1,9,2

R8 - 8,7,12,4,3

R9 - 2,7,3,4,1