3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Wednesday’s race meeting at Happy Valley (24/06/20).

Race 1: #9 Travel Datuk, #8 Regency Poet, #1 Harrier Jet, #12 Fun Times
Race 2: #10 This Is Charisma, #6 Authentic Champ, #2 Hero Time, #1 Winning Feeling
Race 3: #3 Focus, #12 Lucky Missile, #8 King Dragon, #6 Lucky Quality
Race 4: #11 Daily Beauty, #2 Shadow Breaker, #10 Incanto Prepared, #1 Total Power
Race 5: #2 Forza Angel, #4 Nextmodel, #9 Jazz Steed, #8 Wild West Wing
Race 6: #9 Sky Darci, #3 Highland Fortune, #12 The Runner, #5 Ping Hai Galaxy
Race 7: #3 Helene Charisma, #12 Sunshine Warrior, #7 Magnificent, #11 Solar Wai Wai
Race 8: #2 Farshad, #7 Shamport, #6 Best Alliance, #3 Alpha Hedge
Race 9: #4 Encore Boy, #6 Victoriam, #10 Winning Method, #9 Sparkling Dragon

Race 1: Violet Hill Handicap (1st Section)

#9 Travel Datuk has been a frustrating horse across his winless 41-start career, but still, he has gone close on a number of occasions and yet again, rates as a leading hope. He's consistent if anything and this appears to be a suitable contest. #8 Regency Poet has done well so far across his short career. He gets the services of the in-form Karis Teetan who is fresh off a Sunday treble at Sha Tin. #1 Harrier Jet won well last time out for Zac Purton who again, takes the reins here. He has more weight to lug here but if he's held his condition, then he's a good chance of scoring back-to-back wins. #12 Fun Times got off the mark at his first run this term however since then has appeared to struggle. The freshen-up between runs may have done him some good and with no weight on his back, he can figure.

Race 2: Violet Hill Handicap (2nd Section)

#10 This Is Charisma has gone close on a number of occasions and is probably unlucky not to already be a winner. Still, he's continued to hold his condition well and finds himself again situated in another winnable contest. #6 Authentic Champ has only had the one career outing. Neverthless, he's trialled well leading into this and if he can translate that form to the racetrack then he's going to be fighting out the finish. #2 Hero Time scored narrowly two starts ago with Zac Purton in the plate. The Australian ace again takes the reins here and this galloper doesn't look out of place in this line-up. #1 Winning Feeling is next best as he steps down to Class 4.

Race 3: Wong Nai Chung Gap Handicap (2nd Section)

#3 Focus is looking to snap a streak of two runner-up efforts. Prior to that he scored his second win this season and if he's continued to hold his condition then he rates as a leading hope in this contest. #12 Lucky Missile ran a blinder last time out, narrowly missing by just over a length to Lightning Steed. He gets in with a very light weight here and from the draw, Matthew Poon should be able to ensure he does little work throughout the race. #8 King Dragon gets the services of Zac Purton for the first time in search of his first win. This booking deserves respect, and although it's his first time racing at Happy Valley, he does get a favourable draw to aid him. #6 Lucky Quality mixes his form but has shown he is capable of win. He'll be thereabouts.

Race 4: Wong Nai Chung Gap Handicap (1st Section)

#11 Daily Beauty turned his form around last start, narrowly missing by a nose over 1200m. He faces the step up to 1650m here which doesn't appear a hindrance to his chances. The light weight and booking of Joao Moreira should see him prove difficult to beat. #2 Shadow Breaker has drawn favourably in gate two as the likely leader. He can find the front here and play catch me if you can from there. #10 Incanto Prepared is still winless but he has gone close on a number of occasions. This is his third attempt at the course and distance which holds him in good stead for this and if he can overcome the awkward gate, he should be thereabouts. Zac Purton combines with David Hall here aboard #1 Total Power who steps down to Class 4. This combination deserves respect, especially with the blinkers applied to the four-year-old for the first time.

Race 5: Shouson Hill Handicap

#2 Forza Angel has been racing well without a win this term. He's drawn well and with the red-hot Karis Teetan up, he's going to get every chance. #4 Nextmodel gets the services of Hong Kong's champion jockey Zac Purton. He's shown glimpses of ability across his very short career, notably a close-up third two starts ago at Sha Tin. #9 Jazz Steed narrowly missed by a nose last time out over this course and distance. He's found his mark and the inside draw should see him get every possible chance to go one better here. #8 Wild West Wing has ability but does need a fair bit to go his way. This is a tough contest but still, he is a competitive commodity.

Race 6: Mount Gough Handicap

#9 Sky Darci couldn't have been more impressive last start when scoring by a comfortable two lengths over this course and distance. He steps up to Class 3 now but he appears to have more than enough ability to combat the rise in grade. #3 Highland Fortune is looking for back-to-back wins. He remains in Class 3 which is suitable and once again gets the services of three-time champion jockey Zac Purton. #12 The Runner has drawn gate one. He gets in light with only 115lb on his back and another win this term would not surprise. #5 Ping Hai Galaxy is next best.

Race 7: Mount Cameron Handicap

#3 Helene Charisma loves the Valley his last run at the circuit, over 1800m was nothing short of excellent when finishing a close-up third to Reliable Team. This is a suitable contest and as long as he can overcome the awkward gate, he's going to take a power of beating. #12 Sunshine Warrior has turned into a winning machine of late, winning three out of his last six contests. He gets in light here with only 116lb on his back and if he's continued to hold his condition then he's going to give himself every chance. #7 Magnificent can roll to the lead and take this up. He's drawn to get the gun run for Dylan Mo and he's going to be in front for a long way. #11 Solar Wai Wai is next best down in the weights.

Race 8: Mount Nicholson Handicap

#2 Farshad rarely runs a bad race and with the right run, he should be able to challenge this field. He's drawn well and if he can position himself close to the speed, then he'll give himself every opportunity. Jack Wong's three pound claim also helps. #7 Shamport is a three-time winner already this term and if his consistency continues, then he's once again going to be a leading player amongst this. #6 Best Alliance got his win earlier this season and since then has been nothing short of consistent. The draw makes things tricky but he has the ability, especially if he gets a fast-run-race. He can charge home late if that is the case. #3 Alpha Hedge is on the right track and another win this campaign would not surprise, though this is a tough contest.

Race 9: Magazine Gap Handicap

Admittedly #4 Encore Boy is a better dirt horse than turf horse with three out of his five wins coming on the surface, however, his sole run on the turf this term over this course and distance was eye-catching. He warrants plenty of respect and although this field is a competitive one, he might go around a big price and if so, is worth supporting, especially from gate two. #6 Victoriam is looking for back-to-back wins. Zac Purton sticks aboard here and if he can offset the awkward draw, he's capable of taking this contest out, though, he isn't going to be much of a price to do so. #10 Winning Method is a two-time course and distance winner. He gets down in the weights here and his slashing second last start reads well for this. #9 Sparkling Dragon is a talent on his day but does need a fair few things to go his way. He's next best.