3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Wednesday’s (09/09/20) race meeting at Happy Valley.

Race 1: #11 Flying Monkey, #7 Island Winner, #2 Yee Cheong Lucky, #8 Aurora Steed
Race 2: #12 Faithful Trinity, #5 Perfect To Play, #3 Universal Go Go, #1 Right Honourable  
Race 3: #4 Momentum Galaxy, #10 Everbrave, #1 Nextmodel, #3 Forza Angel
Race 4: #10 This Is Charisma, #2 Harmony N Home, #9 Sparkling Star, #6 Bullish Brother
Race 5: #10 Authentic Champ, #4 Jazz Steed, #11 Melbourne Hall, #12 Victorious Leader
Race 6: #1 Alpha Hedge, #10 Lightning Steed, #4 Flying Sword, #7 Toycoon
Race 7: #5 Aurora Pegasus, #1 California Rad, #10 Triple Triple, #8 Victory Power
Race 8: #10 Cantstopthefeeling, #1 Fantasy, #8 Loriz, #5 Guy Dragon

Race 1: Wan Chai Handicap

#11 Flying Monkey steps out off a career-low mark of 24 and although his recent form has been less than impressive, he does still have the ability to take out a contest such as this. The wide gate makes life difficult but if Alexis Badel can get him out of the machine early to find a forward position, then he is going to get every chance to return to his best. #7 Island Winner returns to a competitive mark. He does his best racing in Class 5 and from the middle draw, he shouldn't be expending too much energy early on. #2 Yee Cheong Lucky has two wins for Tony Millard from seven starts since switching yards. He bears close watching first-up, especially as Millard and Antoine Hamelin have already combined for a winner this season. #8 Aurora Steed is winless. He's been competitive but will need to lift, although, in his favour is the booking of Hong Kong's champion jockey, Zac Purton, which certainly bears close watching.

Race 2: Tai Hang Handicap

#12 Faithful Trinity slots in off a mark of 42. He's a course and distance winner previously, who from the good gate, could prove tough to reel in, especially after catching the eye at the trials. #5 Perfect To Play has won off this mark before and this contest looks ideal for him to bag another. Joao Moreira takes the reins fresh off a treble and from the inside gate, with the Brazilian ace aboard, he is going to be in the finish. #3 Universal Go Go is looking to snap a streak of two runner-up efforts. He's racing well and did close off nicely in a recent trial. #1 Right Honourable does his best racing in Class 4, as he is a two-time course and distance winner in this grade. He's drawn a touch awkward but he is likely to drift back, so with a pace that suits he can finish off strongly. He's the value runner of the race and might be worth a small each way play.

Race 3: North Point Handicap

#4 Momentum Galaxy has more ability than his previous record suggests, mainly due to manners in the gates being rather poor. Still, he has potential to one day piece it all together and from the good gate, with the amount of trackwork he has done, he might just be ready to go on with it. #10 Everbrave is now at a career-low mark of 43. The inside gate will suit him and his first-up record previously suggests that he is going to be primed for this contest. #1 Nextmodel won well last time out and since then has trialed impressively. Zac Purton retains the ride and admittedly, he is going to prove hard to get past, although from the awkward gate, with top-weight on his back, he is worth opposing if he is too short in the market. #3 Forza Angel is consistent and worth including.

Race 4: Quarry Bay Handicap (1st Section)

#10 This Is Charisma is unlucky not to already be a winner and if he brings his best to this first-up assignment, then he is the one to beat. The booking of Joao Moreira suggests that he is ready to fire first-up and with even luck from the draw, he is going to get every chance to showcase his potential. #2 Harmony N Home has drawn pole position for Zac Purton. He's a horse who still appears to have a number of ratings points in hand, therefore with a positive ride he can shake this race up. #9 Sparkling Star is another horse who appears to have a number of ratings points still to climb. The inside gate suits and he can run a bold race first-up. #6 Bullish Brother is looking for back-to-back wins and his third from his last four runs. He can run well again here. 

Race 5: Quarry Bay Handicap (2nd Section)

#10 Authentic Champ caught the eye in a recent barrier trial, displaying some of the ability he showed when he rattled home from the tail of the field on debut to finish a close-up seventh as a $4.8 second elect. He clearly has ability and from the good draw, he gets his chance to finally show it, though this is a tough contest. #4 Jazz Steed is racing in career-best form with three top-two finishes from his last three outings, including one win. He caught the eyes at the trials and is going to be a leading player against this bunch. #11 Melbourne Hall gets the services of Zac Purton. He bears close watching down in the weights, especially having drawn barrier four. #12 Victorious Leader gets in light and deserves respect with even luck.

Race 6: Fortress Hill Handicap

#1 Alpha Hedge and Zac Purton have built a nice association these past two starts with a win and a close-up second. He's in career-best form and looks on the cusp of stepping into Class 2 here, which he can do with a win, especially from gate three which should give him every hope. #10 Lightning Steed has drawn to get the gun run. He's won two out of his last three starts and has clearly found his feet racing in Class 3. He can figure from a low gate with no weight on his back. #4 Flying Sword has gone to a new level since switching stables to the Tony Cruz yard. He can make his presence felt once again. #7 Toycoon is still on-the-up and won't be too far away, although the wide ally makes things tricky.

Race 7: Causeway Bay Handicap (2nd Section)

#5 Aurora Pegasus is an impressive talent having won three from eight across his career. He's shot-up 17 points since his debut and does still appear to have a few more points to climb. Strong booking of Zac Purton for this first-up assignment. #1 California Rad is another impressive talent who we may not have seen the best of yet. Karis Teetan knows the horse well having won three times aboard him and he's another who is capable of further ascending up the ratings. #10 Triple Triple has an awkward draw but he can get into the finish here. He's not without claims, especially as he is set to carry just 116lb. #8 Victory Power is a solid competitor who is awfully consistent, having finished inside the top three on 16 occasions, although, he does only have the one win to his name. Still, this suits, especially from gate two.

Race 8: Causeway Bay Handicap (1st Section)

#10 Cantstopthefeeling has always showcased ability and in a recent trial at Sha Tin, he did appear to finally be realising his full potential. He stretched out nicely to cross the line first for Alexis Badel and although he's drawn a touch awkward, he's worth taking a chance on at a price. On paper #1 Fantasy is most likely the horse to beat. He's drawn to get the right run and from the gate, he could find the front with ease. Still, there's a fair bit of pace in the race which could hamper his chances, especially if he is too short of a price. #8 Loriz is one of those who could challenge for the lead. He's made all at the Valley previously for a win and it wouldn't surprise to see him try and do the same again. #5 Guy Dragon is consistent in this grade. He deserves respect in this field, especially with the booking of Zac Purton for new trainer, Caspar Fownes.