3 minute read

Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Happy Valley races.

Rail - A Course (True)

Race 1

#10 CABLE SPEED ran his normally average race at Sha Tin last start but is back in commission with a return to the city circuit at Happy Valley. He won here from the same draw in March under Karis Teetan and tonight it's new Australian rider Michael Dee on board. Up on speed, or leading early is his normal running position and he generally sticks on pretty well from there to the line.
#12 OWNERS' STAR gains a run tonight after initially being a standby starter on the bench. He'll carry saddle cloth 12, but weighs in at 127lbs, and must be given a solid winning chance. The 1800m has always been marked as the ideal distance, with his past two efforts both luckless in defeat.
#11 BARON ZEE is going the best he's ever gone since 7lb claiming apprentice Angus Chung jump on and that's the case again tonight. With a front runners profile, and feather on his back, he'll be gifted the best run possible from the inside draw. Holding off those with bigger engines late in running remains a challenging obstacle, but it's not entirely beyond possibility.
#4 CLASSIC ARCHI is worthy of respect following his two competitive runs in class 5. He'll run this out strongly I suspect following a hard and luckless effort last start over the longer trip of 2200m. With an ideal run in transit anticipated he might well be the play via an each way bet.
#3 CIRCUIT ELITE won two races over this course and distance at the beginning of the season with the later registered in class 4. His recent form reads fair, but with local jockey Vincent Ho sticking fat, I'd be weary. He's tactically versatile when inform, so if the market likes him I'd be following in.

Selections : 10,12,11,4,3

R2 - 4,3,9,1,2

R3 - 2,8,10,4,5

R4 - 2,1,9,5,8

R5 - 9,10,3,5,7

R6 - 3,9,11,1,4

R7 - 1,3,8,6,2

R8 - 10,6,8,5,1

Race 9

#4 REWARD SMILE had six starts in the United Kingdom before a Hong Kong victory on debut at a big price. He then followed up with another terrific effort, after half missing the start, when runner up in a strong class 3, and in fast time. Connections have an astute purchase under the care of trainer John Size and he'll be definitely winning more races. Happy Valley is always a concern for any newbie, even from a good draw, but he's a genuine talent that'll take plenty of beating.
#1 EXCELLENT PEERS is a big sizeable unit that'll carry the 135lbs without a problem. The draw, rider booking and forceable pace up front are all mechanisms which potentially unfold in his favour. The rate he's elevated himself through class 3 suggests he's good enough to win in class 2, so leave him out at your peril.
#3 SUPERB CAPITALIST put on a brilliant front running display here recently, which was a flash back to his dominant and memorable career debut. Drawing out wide on this occasion however does create further challenges, but he's got the motor to get across. Interestingly, the track in my opinion was largely bias to those on pace last start, so there are reservations as to whether he can lead all the way.
#5 PHOENIX LIGHT is worthy of inclusion despite the wide draw. He's still finding his feet, plus getting comfortable with the city circuit, but is certainly heading in the right direction. It's clearly obvious he responds best to a conservative approach, so watch out for him flashing home hard at the end.
#6 E UNIVERSE was visually exciting to watch when bolting up here last start and he's another smart young horse. The rise in class shouldn't be a be problem, in time, but the clock suggests he's got ground to find. Hugh Bowman switching to REWARD SMILE, after a last start win, also seems a tip in itself.

Selections : 4,1,3,5,6