3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Happy Valley races.
Race 1 – Link Handicap, HK $780,000
Class 5 – Turf - Distance 1000m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 56.84 Standard Time: 57.20 Course/Class record: 56.52 Shanghai Power
Winner: CARRY THE DIAMOND (AUS 5yo g Moshe – Lucand Star) got away on terms from an inside barrier and showed good pace under Luke Ferraris to burrow through and hold a position on the pace under his own steam. He settled on the leader's back once fully into stride and enjoyed a cosy run through the middle stages. He was travelling one of the best into the home straight, but the leader did initially get away from him as they turned for home. He knuckled down strongly though to take range up and take the lead with 100m to run and hold off a couple of fast finishing rivals to win by a half-length.
Runner-Up: SPLIT OF A SECOND jumped fairly and was allowed to drift back under Vincent Ho in the early going, with Ho crossing from his middle barrier to slot into the running line just worse than midfield. He never appeared to be travelling comfortably as Ho was constantly urging his mount along for much of the 1000m journey, but he was holding his position around the turn and began working into the race nicely as they turned for home. The local jockey got the gelding out into the clear on straightening and he ran on brilliantly over the final 150m. He was responding well to the urgings of Ho, but he just couldn't reel in the leader as he held onto second position in a photo finish.
Run Of The Race: DAY DAY RICH burst out of the gates and went straight to the front under Lyle Hewitson, who did have to do a bit of work to cross to the rail. He led comfortably throughout the run and kicked well on the turn to open up a margin to the rest of the field. He began to tire inside the final stages, but he did well to hold onto fourth place, only beaten 1-1/4 lengths.
Disappointment: U W BROTHER was a touch slow out of the barriers and was hard ridden in the early stages, with Matthew Chadwick even using the whip on multiple occasions inside the first 400m. He was left racing wide and without cover through the middle stages and was already going backward as they turned for home. Chadwick eased up on the gelding over the final 100m as he finished in last place beaten 7-3/4 lengths.
Comparison: Well inside the standard time.
Market Mover: No real market moves with SUNNY AND GOLD starting as the $4.60 favourite.
Race 2 – Ventris Handicap, HK $780,000
Class 5 – Turf – Distance 2200m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 2:18.56 Standard Time: 2:17.40 Course/Class record: 2:15.87 Sky Gem
Winner: AMAZING BOY (IRE 5yo g Holy Roman Emperor – Ashtaroute) was one of the first into stride under Joao Moreira, with the Brazilian hoop handing up the lead around the first turn to settle on the leader's back. The pace was very moderate as they passed the winning post with a lap to run, but he was travelling comfortably under Moreira as he remained in behind the leader. The pace quickened a touch down the back straight as the mid-race moves came, but Moreira wasn't panicking turning off the back, holding his position on along the inside, with the gelding just needing clear air at the top of the straight. Moreira was able to hug the rail on straightening and dart up the inside, with the gelding responding well to shoot to the lead with 150m to run and pull away to win very comfortably by 1-1/4 lengths.
Runner-Up: VICTORIOUS SEEKER jumped away on terms and slotted into a midfield position early under Zac Purton, racing behind the eventual winner with a lap to run. Purton remained in that position throughout the middle stages, sticking right onto the back of Moreira and Amazing Boy, but the gelding was already starting to come under pressure with 600m to run. The leading jockey came off the inside with 400m remaining and began to improve into the race as they turned for home, but was just outsprinted by his rivals. He did his best work over the final stages of the race, but he was no match for the winner.
Run Of The Race: AMAZING BOY had the perfect run in transit and made the most of it, bolting in by 1-1/4 lengths. It was the gelding's maiden victory, with the son of Holy Roman Emperor taking a liking to the Happy Valley 2200m course. He looks to have more wins in store.
Disappointment: DIAMOND STAR was stepping out to the longer trip for the first time and may have been unsuited by the tempo it was run at. He's usually seen running on from the rear, but he just didn't have the ability to do so at the end of the 2200m journey. It was his first disappointing effort since January, so I'm happy to forgive him this one start, despite finishing in 10th place, beaten 3-3/4 lengths.
Comparison: Well outside standard in a slowly run race.
Market Mover: TURF BRILLIANT had support late in betting.
Race 3 – Broadwood Handicap, HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1000m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 57.10 Standard Time: 57.05 Course/Class record: 56.39 Gentle Breeze
Winner: FABULOUS EIGHT (AUS 6yo g Dream Ahead – Coco Kerringle) got away well from gate 10 and was caught very wide through the opening stages as Vincent Ho tried to find a position in running. Ho was able to work his way across to get three-wide, but was facing the breeze as they turned off the back straight. Despite being wide throughout the race, he quickened beautifully at the top of the straight to hit the lead with 150m to run, but was laying in under pressure in the straight. Ho was able to straighten him up and he was game right to the finish, holding off his rivals to get the win by a neck after a tough effort.
Runner-Up: VAMOS wasn't the fastest into stride under Zac Purton, sitting in the back half of the field as they settled into stride. Purton hadn't used much energy to find his position in running and began to head wider on the course as they swung into the home straight. He got into the clear at the top of the stretch and ran on nicely to get within striking distance with 100m to run. The win was there for him if he was good enough, but the winner just went home the better.
Run Of The Race: What a performance from FABULOUS EIGHT. He was caught wide and without cover right throughout the race, but quickened beautifully on straightening and toughed it out at the finish to get the win. He has to be the run of the race.
Disappointment: NEXTMODEL jumped well from an inside barrier and was ridden along by Harry Bentley from the jump, finding a great position in behind the leaders as they settled. After enjoying a good run in transit, Bentley started to wind him up turning for home, but he didn't really quicken when asked, being very plain in the straight and finishing in 7th place, beaten 3-3/4 lengths.
Comparison: Just outside the standard time.
Market Mover: WINS ALL was backed late in betting.
Race 4 – Sung Tak Handicap, HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track to Firm
Time: 1:09.69 Standard Time: 1:09.80 Course/Class record: 1:08.60 Happily Friends
Winner: SUGAR SUGAR (AUS 3yo g Star Turn – In The Moment) was one of the last to leave the gates and settled toward the tail of the field under Joao Moreira. The pace was quick through the middle stages, suiting the three-year-old as Moreira came away from the inside and began improving into the race with 500m remaining. Moreira was able to get into the three-wide trail around the turn and enjoyed a lovely cart into the race, swinging out to be one of the widest on straightening. He kept the momentum up as they turned for home and blew past his rivals with 100m to go. He was far too strong for his rivals at the finish, pulling away to win impressively by 2 lengths.
Runner-Up: TOUCH FAITH got away on terms from barrier 6 and was caught wide initially, but was able to slot into a position three-wide with cover as they turned down the back. Alex Badel eased the gelding back to be more midfield down the back, and was left without cover with around 700m remaining, but the gelding was travelling comfortably. Badel began to work into the race passing the 500m point and circled around the outside of the field to stake his claim at the top of the straight. He was quickly gobbled up by the eventual winner, but he stuck on well under his light weight to run into second position.
Run Of The Race: That was some win by SUGAR SUGAR, who picked up and spat out his competitors in brilliant fashion. He seems to have plenty of upside as a lightly raced three-year-old and could develop nicely into next season.
Disappointment: AUGUST MOON was able to find a brilliant spot in the run, settling just off the speed and along the inside rail. He was travelling comfortably in the run, but was forced to check off heels with 450m to run, halting plenty of his momentum. He didn't have the best run to the line, racing tight for room between runners and copping plenty of contact over the concluding stages, finishing in 8th place, beaten 4-3/4 lengths.
Comparison: Just inside the standard time.
Market Mover: No real market moves, with TRIPLE TRIPLE going around as favourite at $3.50.
Race 5 – Hau Tak Handicap, HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf – Distance 1650m – Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:39.86 Standard Time: 1:40.00 Course/Class record: 1:38.83 Flying Elite
Winner: UNITED ENDEAVORS (AUS 3yo g Headwater – Illinois Magic) was awkwardly away from the barriers, but still jumped well enough to stride forward and land in the one-out-one-back position under Keith Yeung. The pace was good through the middle stages, with the three-year-old travelling comfortably under Yeung. There were no mid-race moves to speak on, with the local jockey happy to sit in behind the leading pair turning off the back, with Yeung waiting until the 400m point to move three-wide. He went up to join the leaders as they turned for home, and took the lead with a furlong to run. He was challenged over the final 150m by Amigos Giggle, but the three-year-old dug deep and held off the late challenge to win by a half-length on the line.
Runner-Up: AMIGOS GIGGLE jumped fairly from a middle draw but was able to slide across and slot into the running line in a position just worse than midfield. Joao Moreira had the gelding traveling comfortably into the back straight, but was spotting the leader 5-1/2 lengths passing the 800m marker. Moreira began to improve his mount passing the 600m point, niggling at the gelding to get moving as he shot around the field three-wide on the turn. He built up plenty of revs turning for home and was right there to win the race if he was good enough, but United Endeavors was just too strong at the finish.
Run Of The Race: AMIGOS GIGGLE is the one to follow out of this race. He remains down in the weights despite finishing second, and if he jumps from an inside draw he will be able to sit closer in the run. He gapped third place and can win some races in the new season.
Disappointment: GO FOR TEA jumped well and settled in a brilliant spot on the back of the leader in the early stages, but was racing keenly early on under Karis Teetan. He eventually settled heading up the rise and out of the back stretch after pulling through most of the middle stages. He was right behind the leader on straightening and darted back to the inside for clear running, but found nothing when placed under pressure, finishing in 6th position, beaten 4-3/4 lengths.
Comparison: Inside the standard time.
Market Mover: AMIGOS GIGGLE jumped the $3.30 favourite with no market moves to speak of.
Race 6 – Sung Tak Handicap, HK $1,040,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.73 Standard Time: 1:09.80 Course/Class record: 1:08.60 Happily Friends
Winner: HERO STAR (AUS 6yo g Kaphero – Winning Betsy) bounced well and showed plenty of natural pace from the get-go, striding forward under his own steam to lead under Matthew Poon. He was setting a good pace in front but he wasn't over doing it, keeping the field running through the middle stages before stretching his lead to a length passing the 400m point. He had plenty of his rivals under pressure and chasing as they turned for home, with Poon only asking the six-year-old for maximum effort with 250m to run. He kicked well and extended his lead further passing the 150m point and was far too strong over the closing stages, winning in impressive fashion by 1-1/4 lengths.
Runner-Up: WOOD ON FIRE jumped well and pushed on from the wide barrier to be up on the pace around the first turn, with Zac Purton pushing on further to get outside the leader midway down the back straight. He travelled comfortably in the run, but was just left in the leader's wake when he quickened the tempo with 400m to run, with Purton getting busy aboard the gelding as they turned into the straight. He chased hard right to the finish, falling into second position in a three-way photo finish, but the winner was just too good.
Run Of The Race: HERO STAR was given an absolute peach of a ride by Matthew Poon, leading from start-to-finish and winning comfortably in the end. It was the gelding's first win since April 2021, but he was able to capitalise on his good recent form with a big win today.
Disappointment: ARES jumped well and was racing in a great position behind the leading pair for Karis Teetan, with the Mauritian pulling him out three-wide with 400m to run to challenge the leaders turning for home. He became unbalanced on straightening after copping a big bump from a rival on the turn, and the gelding wasn't the same after that. He failed to come on at all in the stretch and drifted right out of the race to finish in last, beaten 9-1/2 lengths. Nothing was found in a post-race veterinary examination.
Comparison: Inside the standard time.
Market Mover: HERO STAR had plenty of support just prior to the start.
Race 7 – Oi Kwan Handicap, HK $1,570,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1800m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:48.79 Standard Time: 1:49.20 Course/Class record: 1:47.91 Leap Of Faith
Winner: SUPER OASIS (NZ 6yo g Rock 'N' Pop – Not Sure) jumped well and was ridden along by Matthew Chadwick in the opening stages. He was caught four-wide early on down the straight, but he was able to slot in rounding the first turn to settle in the one-out-one-back position. The pace was quite good through the first half of the race, with Chadwick just sitting patiently aboard the six-year-old as they headed down the back. Chadwick moved three-wide with 500m to run to avoid the tiring runners in front of him, skirting around the outside to join the leader as they swung into the straight. He took the lead early on, but only held a narrow advantage with 150m to run as Comet Splendido was shooting along the rail. Chadwick and the second placegetter were wide apart down the stretch, but Super Oasis was never headed at any point and held off the challenger to get the job done by a head.
Runner-Up: COMET SPLENDIDO got away well and was able to use the inside barrier to his advantage, with Vincent Ho able to hold a midfield position as they turned down the side of the course. He was locked away on the inside through the middle stages, but was able to improve slightly turning off the back straight, before being held up once again passing the 400m point. He finally gained clear air as they straightened, with Ho sticking to the inside rail and going underneath all his rivals. He took it right up to the winner in the straight, but he couldn't stick his nose in front over the closing stages. He did open up a gap back to third though, which is a positive sign.
Run Of The Race: SUPER OASIS and Matthew Chadwick couldn't have asked for the race to pan out as good as it did. They pressed on from the wide draw and found a perfect position in behind the leaders, before getting the chance to build into the race unobstructed. He toughed it out at the finish and can keep the winning train rolling into next season.
Disappointment: WIN WIN FIGHTER was away only fairly and found himself in a tricky position back in the field, sitting worse than midfield and along the inside. He remained there through the run, but wasn't travelling all that great as he came under heavy pressure with 500m remaining. He did pick up turning for home, but the run was short lived as he then drifted back through the field to finish in 10th place, beaten 6 lengths.
Comparison: Outside the standard time.
Market Mover: WORLD FAMOUS had his supporters, with NEARLY FINE also being specked at double figure odds.
Race 8 – Sports Road Handicap, HK $1,570,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:09.65 Standard Time: 1:09.50 Course/Class record: 1:08.68 Speed Vision
Winner: OUR LUCKY GLORY (BRZ 4yo c Crafty C T – Corveta) jumped on terms but didn't show any early pace and dropped out the back in the early stages to settle toward the rear of the field. The pace was quick through the middle stages, and Lyle Hewitson was able to improve his position slightly down the back stretch, moving into the three-wide line. He was held up slightly around the home turn, but the South African hoop was able to pick his way through gaps at the top of the straight and begin to charge down the leaders. He was held up again slightly passing the 200m pole, but Hewitson pushed his way clear as he stormed down the centre of the track. He hit the front with 100m to run and was eased down over the final 50m, with the colt hitting the line full of running as he won by 1-3/4 lengths.
Runner-Up: EXCELLENT PEERS jumped well form an inside barrier and was ridden along by Joao Moreira to hold his position around the first turn, which he did with success. The runners from wider out pushed on down the back straight, with Moreira sliding back to sit midfield at the halfway point of the race. He continued to drift back turning out of the back stretch, but quickened nicely as the field fanned across the track turning for home, with the Brazilian able to find the opening and make his presence felt. He was no match for the winner who mowed him down over the closing stages, but he stuck on well to run into a clear second position.
Run Of The Race: OUR LUCKY GLORY was just far too good for his rivals, and was given an equally as-good steer by Lyle Hewitson. He got back, but was suited by the genuine tempo set up front as he built into the race nicely turning for home. He was held up slightly in the straight, but that didn't worry him as he picked up the leaders and bolted in for an impressive victory.
Disappointment: STORMTROUPER jumped well and showed good pace under Ruan Maia to land in a great spot just off the speed down the back straight. He appeared to be travelling well into the home straight, with Maia sticking to the inside, but he clipped heels with the tiring runner he was attempting to avoid and went to the line untested by the Brazilian hoop. The gelding went to the line untested, with Maia telling stewards' that because he had lost so much ground in the incident, he did not persist in riding Stormtrouper out over the concluding stages. He finished in 11th place, beaten 9 lengths.
Comparison: Just outside standard.
Market Mover: PING HAI GALAXY and EXUBERANT were well-backed.
Race 9 – Wong Nai Chung Handicap, HK $2,400,000
Class 2 – Turf - Distance 1650m - Track Good to Firm
Time: 1:39.22 Standard Time: 1:39.30 Course/Class record: 1:37.97 Tsar
Winner: PACKING AWARD (AUS 4yo g Shamus Award – Exchanges) jumped well under Matthew Poon and showed good pace to hold a forward position around the first turn, settling in behind the leaders in the opening stages. He was a touch keen early on in the run, but did settle better down the side of the course and into the back straight. The pace slowed as they went up the rise and out of the back straight, but the gelding remained settled through this period and Poon began making a move with 500m to go. He improved three-wide and was building into the race nicely as they swung the bend, quickening nicely at the top of the straight to take the lead with 100m to run. He was challenged very late in the race as Berlin Tango ranged up on his outside, but the son of Shamus Award held on to take the win in a photo finish, with the official margin being a short head.
Runner-Up: BERLIN TANGO got away okay from an inside draw and despite being ridden along in the early going by Matthew Chadwick, the pair found themselves midfield heading around the first turn. He travelled comfortably through the middle stages and Chadwick was able to get off the inside down the back stretch, improving between runners as they turned off the back. He was improving nicely passing the 400m point and was on the back of the eventual winner as they turned for home, with Chadwick coming out beyond the middle of the track to chase down the leader. He tried gallantly and hit the line with a head full of steam, but was unable to reel in the winner.
Run Of The Race: Matthew Poon did everything right aboard PACKING AWARD, and bought up a winning double in doing so. It was a great ride and the horse produced a brilliant effort to bring up his fourth win for the season. A gutsy effort.
Disappointment: MY ECSTATIC was caught wide in the early going under Vincent Ho, but did roll forward eventually to sit outside the leader down the back straight. He seemed to be travelling comfortably through the middle stages, but came under heavy pressure passing the 400m point and did not respond to the urgings of Ho whatsoever. He was very plain in the straight, weakening to finish in 11th place, beaten 7-1/4 lengths.
Comparison: Just inside standard.
Market Mover: EVERYONE'S DELIGHT and SIGHT SPIRIT were the best backed runners.
