3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive preview of Happy Valley races.
Rail - C+3 Course
Race 1
#5 HAPPY HERO endured a torrid run last start over this track and trip but went down fighting with guts and pride. He's enjoyed a good period of recovery since that excellent effort and should therefore be primed for a repeat performance this time around. The jockey booking and barrier draw won't detract from his overall prospects and he's certainly deserving of another and third career victory.
#2 COLOURFUL BARON has been one of the most consistent runners in this field and deserves some leeway on his last start failure. With a big weight on a yielding surface he work overtime through the early meters which eventually saw him tire out in the run down the home stretch. A return to Happy Valley and the 2200m is a positive decision and a claiming rider booked helps to alleviate the weight.
#4 GO GO GO has finally produced a result or two for connections recently but remains winless from 14 starts. Zac Purton does however step up for a third consecutive ride and they've draw ideally in gate 1 for his debut over the longer journey of 2200m.He has given the impression that the extra distance would suit but there remains consistency issues which is a concern.
#1 KEEN UNITY has now found his way into class 5 and should be winning a race at this level in the immediate future. Trainer Jimmy Ting has opted for a 2200m event, which shall be his first attempt at the longer distance, but he's poorly draw and must carry a big weight. Although I feel he's better than most of these, pound for pound, it might be worth putting him in the fridge for his next run which should be down in distance.
#3 CLASSIC ARCHI has certainly been an underachiever after arriving to Hong Kong from France undefeated from 2 starts With his initial rating currently double of what it presently reads, 35 points, he's an absolute rating special from a previous life and handicap perspective. He did win his first start this season in impressive style when closing hard to score but has since been unreliable.
Selections - 5,2,4,1,3
R2 - 10,9,6,7,12
Race 3
#5 ATOMIC BEAUTY had been thereabouts his entire campaign and deservedly got the money last start due to a strong tactical ride. With just the one victory from 21 starts going into the aforementioned event it was impossible to recommend him as a genuine winning chance. However, Brendan Avdulla showed exactly what can be achieved when a rider puts in the time and effort to prepare tactically, opposed to just jumping on mentally unprepared for the ride. Whether he can make it back to back is now the question but the confidence is up and they've drawn in pole position.
#3 COMET SPLENDIDO unfortunately bled in October last year and was thereafter rested as required. He didn't produce much during his first couple of runs this preparation however significant improvement has been noted at his two most recent starts. He's capable of rolling forward early and potentially finding the lead, and if that scenario unfolds then I'd be expecting a solid overall performance.
#8 COURIER MAGIC was quite professional winning two of his past three starts before a tricky gate and a longer distance sorted things out last start. He's again draw tricky and shall need a few things to go right but the return to 1650m appears a wise decision. When you match up his sectional data alongside the mistakes and greenness he's displaying, it's not beyond him to win another one if he does most things right.
#6 MASTER TORNADO has gone close to breaking his maiden status a few times but keeps finding one or two better. Nevertheless, he's drawn well enough to lead and with a very familiar jockey aboard should be well rated out in front. Holding off hard closing opponents shall again be the ultimate challenge, but with the rail in its widest position he maybe advantage and find a fraction more.
#11 AMAZING BOY is back racing well and when he finds his way into a zone he must be treated with respect. He's back up in grade now after a last start win and also draws wide. This shall more than likely force him to race back otherwise he'll be caught wide. With that being the case he'll need a hard tempo throughout, and the leaders to begin folding up when they run for gold.
Selections - 5,3,8,6,11
R4 - 7,10,1,3,8
R5 - 6,5,1,8,3
R6 - 1,2,6,8,4
R7 - 8,1,4,3,10
R8 - 6,10,11,4,7
R9 - 8,4,12,7,6
