3 minute read

Selections and analysis for Wednesday's (18 May) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley.

Race 1: #6 Daily Beauty, #2 King's Trooper, #1 Run The Table, #5 Diamond Star
Race 2: #1 Happy Daily, #5 E Legend, #9 Hyperion Tree, #4 Win Win Fighter
Race 3: #9 Sun Of Makfi, #4 Reach Goal, #5 Winning Volatility, #11 Chater Pins
Race 4: #7 See U Again, #3 Charming Steed, #11 Melbourne Hall, #6 Happy Trio
Race 5: #6 Durham Star, #7 Gang Of Brothers, #2 Harmony N Home, #8 Singapore Spirit
Race 6: #1 Drops Of God, #11 Valiant Elegance, #2 Family Folks, #9 Flaming Passion
Race 7: #10 Stormtrouper, #1 Atullibigeal, #5 Smart Idea, #8 Sky Forever
Race 8: #4 Packing Award, #6 Nothing New, #3 Crossford, #9 Packing Famous
Race 9: #7 Lucky With You, #4 Campione, #11 Eason, #1 Voyage Warrior 

 Race 1: Waglan Island Handicap 

 #6 Daily Beauty is tracking towards another win. He's been good in both of his past two outings and with even luck from the solid draw he rates as the one to beat. #2 King's Trooper gets back into Class 5. His last run in this grade returned a win and he only needs to offset the wide gate to be a leading player here. #1 Run The Table has the class-edge. Expect he's wound up to perform for Blake Shinn. His last run in this grade also returned a win. #5 Diamond Star is in form and chasing back-to-back wins. Next best. 

Race 2: Tiu Chung Chau Handicap 

 #1 Happy Daily steps back into Class 4. This is a suitable drop for him and his pairing with Zac Purton bears close watching, especially from gate two. #5 E Legend is chasing back-to-back wins. He has claims once more. #9 Hyperion Tree has shown glimpses of ability at times. He slots in light and has his first start for new trainer Frankie Lor. The draw suits and it wouldn't surprise to see him bounce out of the ground here. #4 Win Win Fighter was sound last start. Expect he can make his presence felt again. 

Race 3: Tung Lung Chau Handicap 

 #9 Sun Of Makfi is racing well without winning. He's placed in all four of his last starts and for an in-form horse he's rather well weighted. Expect he makes a run at these with no concerns regarding the distance. #4 Reach Goal turned his form around last start to finish second. He can take another step forward against this group. #5 Winning Volatility can bounce back following a poor effort last start. He's better than that, especially over this course and distance. #11 Chater Pins slots in light and gets his chance. Must include. 

Race 4: Ninepin Group Handicap (2nd Section)

 #7 See U Again has done little wrong so far. He's showing plenty of early talent and from gate three he maps to get a winning run, especially under Zac Purton. #3 Charming Steed doesn't know how to run a bad race. If he can find himself in the right spot, then he'll get his opportunity as always. #11 Melbourne Hall gets in light and has claims. He's coming back to form and he might be hitting this contest at the right time. #6 Happy Trio is racing well. He's placed twice in three runs and is not without his chance here. Next best. 

Race 5: Ninepin Group Handicap (1st Section)

#6 Durham Star is in career-best form. If he can offset the wide gate it wouldn't surprise to see him bounce back to winning ways here. #7 Gang Of Brothers is tracking towards a first win. He's doing well and pairs favourably with Blake Shinn from gate one. He's well weighted and has shown he's capable of a win in Class 4. #2 Harmony N Home has Zac Purton engaged. Inside gate suits and he'll be in the finish. #8 Singapore Spirit hit the ground running in Hong Kong before slipping away a touch. Still, he's talented. Keep safe. 

Race 6: Kau Sai Chau Handicap (1st Section)

 #1 Drops Of God has a massive class-edge on this group. He's beaten and been competitive against much, much better opponents previously. The wide gate is a concern but his ability and Zac Purton's services should carry him a long way. #11 Valiant Elegance is chasing a hat-trick of wins. He slots in light and his racing pattern always affords him his chance, even if he does step up in grade. Expect he leads for a long way. #2 Family Folks is in solid form. He has claims. #9 Flaming Passion is next best. Light weight and inside draw favours him. 

Race 7: Kau Sai Chau Handicap (2nd Section)

 #10 Stormtrouper is doing everything right except win. He's in form, racing well and just needs an ounce of luck to go his way. If he gets his way and the right run then he can win with the light impost assigned. #1 Atullibigeal is better than his record suggests. He's showing plenty of early toe and his pairing with Zac Purton commands respect. #5 Smart Idea is chasing a hat-trick of wins. He commands respect. #8 Sky Forever is closing in on a first win. He's been unlucky but with the right run can figure once more. 

Race 8: Ma Wan Handicap 

 #4 Packing Award is holding his condition. He was narrowly touched off last start in his hat-trick bid but even still, he displayed his trademark turn-of-foot that day. He has several rating points still in hand. #6 Nothing New is chasing back-to-back wins. He's figured it out now and pairs favourably with Zac Purton. #3 Crossford is better than his record suggests. He's had a few tough runs of late and it wouldn't surprise to see him bounce back to his best here. Strong chance for Luke Currie. #9 Packing Famous is on a hat-trick bid. He only needs to handle the class rise.  

Race 9: Grass Island Handicap 

 #7 Lucky With You draws well and should be able to control a handy spot on the speed. He is a talent and with any improvement from last start he is the one to beat. Happy Valley should suit him. #4 Campione is handling everything in front of him. He's a serious talent too and he should get every opportunity on the speed. Hard to split these two. #11 Eason is the new kid on the block. He's on the improve and remains a threat. #1 Voyage Warrior is a Group 2 winner. He has the class and gets his chance again for an overdue win.