3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Wednesday's race meeting at Happy Valley (08/01/2020).

Race 1: #10 Lucky Missile, #11 Super Alliances, #1 Breeders' Sky, #9 California Rad
Race 2: #10 Golden Glory, #2 Happy Alumni, #1 Loriz, #6 Shouson
Race 3: #4 Bright Kid, #1 Rulethroost, #9 Nitro Express, #2 Naboo Star
Race 4: #7 Noble Man, #11 Shining On, #1 Confucius Day, #12 The One
Race 5: #8 Murray's Partners, #2 Flame Lily, #1 Acclaimed Light, #12 Everyone's Elite
Race 6: #8 Doctor Geoff, #1 Southern Legend, #5 Sacred Capital, #2 Time Warp
Race 7: #6 Super Elegance, #4 World Famous, #12 Great Treasure, #2 Xiang Bai Qi
Race 8: #1 Joyful Union, #2 Shining Ace, #6 Victoriam, #4 Ballistic King
Race 9: #2 Aurora Pegasus, #3 Blotting Paper, #1 Special Stars, #6 Very Rich Man 

Race 1: Kingston Handicap (1st Section)

#10 Lucky Missile hasn't been too far away across his three outings in Hong Kong. He gets the services of Zac Purton this time in and from the gate he should get a nice run close to the speed. #11 Super Alliances displayed steady improvement last start. He'll need to overcome the wide gate but the booking of Joao Moreira should ensure he gets his chance. #1 Breeders' Sky is a new acquisition to the Michael Chang yard. He's improved back in Class 4 and another bold run can be expected. #9 California Rad can make his presence felt from the good draw.

Race 2: Kingston Handicap (2nd Section)

#10 Golden Glory has been consistent without winning this season. He's racing well and this race appears well within his reach, especially with Silvestre de Sousa up. #2 Happy Alumni comes into this with two runs under his belt. He improved sharply last start and he can take another step forward here. #1 Loriz is the likely leader of this. He can run them along here and could prove difficult to reel in. #6 Shouson mixes his form. The wide gate makes things tricky though, he does get the services of Zac Purton. 

Race 3: Paterson Handicap (2nd Section)

#4 Bright Kid has gone close on a number of occasions this season. He gets another excellent chance here, breaking from the inside draw which should see him settle up on the pace early. #1 Ruletheroost has relished the step back into Class 4. He can progress further here especially with Zac Purton taking the reins again. #9 Nitro Express grabbed third last start. He hasn't won for a while but he maps to get the right run which will see him get every chance. #2 Naboo Star got off the mark last start. He remains in Class 4 which should see him get every opportunity.

Race 4: Kingston Handicap (3rd Section)

#7 Noble Man caught the eye on debut, snatching a narrow second over this course and distance. He's drawn to get every chance for Joao Moreira and with even luck, appears ready to breakthrough for his first Hong Kong win. #11 Shining On narrowly missed last start. He's been consistent all season and if this continues here, he's going to be in the finish. #1 Confucius Day gets 10lb taken off his back thanks to Alfred Chan's claim. He's the likely leader of this and if he can cross from the draw, he's going to give them something to run down. #12 The One is next best.

Race 5: Paterson Handicap (1st Section)

#8 Murray's Partners narrowly missed last start over this course and distance. He can progress further with that run under his belt here and the inside draw should afford him every opportunity. #2 Flame Lily is looking for back-to-back wins. Grant van Niekerk takes the reins here and from the inside draw he's going to get his chance on the speed. #1 Acclaimed Light is consistent. He steps back to Class 4 where is a two-time winner, suggesting this is a suitable affair for him. #12 Everyone's Elite has no weight on his back. He's next best. 

Race 6: The G3 January Cup (Handicap)

#8 Doctor Geoff was set a task last start from the tail of the field, resulting in an only mediocre performance. Still, prior to that he was racing well and he was a winner over this course and distance at his fourth start last campaign, though, this is a much tougher assignment. He's drawn well and rates as a good value proposition with just 113lb and Vincent Ho to carry. #1 Southern Legend is the class runner of the field and gets the services of Zac Purton here. He's a dual SIN G1 Kranji Mile winner who if he runs up to that level of form, will take a power of beating. #5 Sacred Capital is the Macau visitor. He ran a blinder here last time in Hong Kong, finishing fourth behind Southern Legend in the G3 Sa Sa Ladies' Purse Handicap. His form of late in Macau has been sound and the booking of Joao Moreira warrants respect. #2 Time Warp can take up the running here. He'll give them something to catch. 

Race 7: Great George Handicap

#6 Super Elegance is looking to end a string of two runner-up efforts. He's racing well and although he's drawn poorly, he should take a power of beating against this bunch. #4 World Famous turned his form around to grab second. He's drawn well and clearly relished the step up to 1800m last time out, which he gets again. #12 Great Treasure likes to settle back in the field but he regularly rattles home impressively. His racing pattern is costly but with no weight on his back and a fast-pace predicted, he should get his chance. #2 Xiang Bai Qi struggled last start but he can bounce back with Zac Purton engaged.

Race 8: Causeway Handicap (2nd Section)

#1 Joyful Union is racing well without winning. He closed strongly for third last start over this course and distance and with further improvement from that, he could take beating. #2 Shining Ace rarely runs a bad race and is already a two-time winner this season. He's consistent and with the right run, he can go on with it. #6 Victoriam made a stack of ground from the tail of the field last time out. That Gentle Breeze form rates highly for this and his best is up to this. #4 Ballistic King is next best.      

Race 9: Causeway Handicap (1st Section)

#2 Aurora Pegasus is in search of his fourth consecutive win. He's a serious talent on the rise and from the good gate he's going to get every chance once again for Zac Purton. He remains in Class 3 which suits and this race appears his for the taking. #3 Blotting Paper appears better than his form reads. He gets the blinkers first time to sharpen him up and he could be very good value. #1 Special Stars returned to winning ways two starts ago. His best should see him prove competitive. #6 Very Rich Man is the likely leader of this. He'll take some running down at a price.