3 minute read

Selections and Analysis for Wednesday’s race meeting at Happy Valley (23/09/20).

Race 1: #3 Who's Horse, #1 Sky Gem, #11 Virtus Star, #2 Home Win
Race 2: #12 Shining On, #9 Athena, #5 Telecom Rocket, #4 Jazz Steed
Race 3: #11 Ardenode, #10 Travel Datuk, #5 Management Supreme, #8 Wild West Wing
Race 4: #11 Urban Dancer, #4 Flash Famous, #9 Rich And Lucky, #7 Enshrined 
Race 5: #1 Red Elysees, #6 Beauty Angel, #3 Bullish Glory, #8 Rule Thee
Race 6: #1 Right Honourable, #8 Faithful Trinity, #4 Universal Go Go, #3 Murray's Partners
Race 7: #11 Very Sweet Orange, #2 Metro Warrior, #1 Californiadeepshot, #10 Cantstopthefeeling
Race 8: #3 Massive Pocket, #7 California Rad, #5 Beauty Applause, #4 Ugly Warrior

Race 1: Stanley Handicap

#3 Who's Horse should be race-fit with one run under his belt already this term and with a crucial 10 pounds coming off his back here, he does appear very suited to this contest. #1 Sky Gem is on the quick back-up after finishing runner-up on Sunday over 1650m on the dirt. He bears close watching here, especially for the in-form Caspar Fownes yard with Zac Purton taking the mount. #11 Virtus Star is another who has already had one run this season. He again, slots in light with no weight on his back and he deserves respect in this contest. #2 Home Win is honest at times and should be around the mark again here.

Race 2: Repulse Bay Handicap

#12 Shining On is rated to win this contest and if he's held his condition from the tail-end of last season, then he shapes as the hardest to beat. The inside gate suits and with the gun run, he can take this out. #9 Athena is better than his record suggests and his latest trial at Sha Tin indicates that he is on the right track. #5 Telecom Rocket grabbed a bold third second-up this season and he does have the benefit of race-fitness on his side. He's worth supporting on a win and place line in this contest as he's getting close to piecing it together once again. #4 Jazz Steed is better than his first-up failure suggests. He can turn it around for championship leading trainer Caspar Fownes.

Race 3: Middle Bay Handicap

#11 Ardenode was super impressive at the trials and although he's winless, he is closing in on a maiden success, especially off the back of two close-up defeats at the end of last season. #10 Travel Datuk is winless across 42 starts. He's been a frustration to connections with 12 minor placings among these runs but still, he is consistent and things could fall his way here. #5 Management Supreme has drawn awkwardly but does appear to be a talent on-the-up. He can get into the thick of things here, especially with race-fitness on his side. #8 Wild West Wing grabbed third first-up this term. Suspect he still has a bit to learn but it wouldn't surprise to see him get on the board here.

Race 4: Deep Water Bay Handicap

#11 Urban Dancer has shown steady improvement across his short career. He was due to run at the first midweek meeting this season, however, he was scratched due to a mishap in the gates. Since then he's trialled well and off that he appears more than redy to be competitive upon resumption. #4 Flash Famous has the wins and runs on the board although, as a front-runner, he is going to have to do a bit of work early to cross from the wide draw. #9 Rich And Lucky can roll forward from gate three and play catch me if you can from there. He's still on-the-up and if he finds the front, he could prove tough to reel in. He's worth supporting an each way basis. #7 Enshrined grabbed fifth first-up on the dirt. Zac Purton hops up now and he bears close watching. 

Race 5: South Bay Handicap

#1 Red Elysees' last win came off a mark of 59, which he once again finds himself racing off and it will also be his first time back to Class 4 since that success. He has race-experience and class on his side and with the right run, he can offset the awkward gate and outstay his rivals. #6 Beauty Angel got off the mark at his final run of last season over this distance at Sha Tin. He's drawn well first-up and he rates well as he remains in Class 4 following that maiden success last term. #3 Bullish Glory has a solid record over this course and distance and if he can produce his best then should be able to finish around the mark. #8 Rule Thee steps out for his new trainer, Caspar Fownes. He's honest and is not without claims.

Race 6: Shek O Handicap

They should run along at a decent clip here and #1 Right Honourable is capable of making use of this if they do. He'll settle back from the draw but it is his usual racing pattern and his three wins prior have come off a similar figure to his current rating. #8 Faithful Trinity led and won well last time out. He'll more than likely not try and do the same again here and he'll be in front for a long way. #4 Universal Go Go grabbed fourth first-up. He's drawn to get the right run here and he's not without claims, especially with race-fitness on his side. #3 Murray's Partners is shooting for a hat-trick of wins. He's nearing his mark but he can get into the finish again with an ounce of luck. 

Race 7: Chung Hom Kok Handicap

#11 Very Sweet Orange slots in light with next to no weight on his back. He can take up the running from gate five and from there, he could prove difficult to reel in. Strong booking of Vincent Ho signals intent from the Me Tsui stable. #2 Metro Warrior was impressive down the straight at Sha Tin. He can continue his ascent up the ratings here and he must be respected, especially with Zac Purton sticking aboard. #1 Californiadeepshot won first-up last season and he profiles to try and do similar again here. Joao Moreira hops up fresh off a six-timer and if he can offset the awkward draw, then he could easily get over the top of them here. #10 Cantstopthefeeling turned in an improved first-up performance and now appears to be on the right track. 

Race 8: Big Wave Bay Handicap

#3 Massive Pocket is regularly underestimated and similar might happen again here. He's well placed in this contest his latest trial leading into this was nothing short of impressive. The pace should be on which will suit him and with even luck he can rattle over the top. #7 California Rad is a horse on-the-up and boasts an impressive record (13: 4-3-2) already across his short career in Hong Kong. He won first-up and he's a chance once again to enter the winners' circle. #5 Beauty Applause can't be overlooked due to his first-up struggles. He can atone for that performance here and he must be included, especially with Joao Moreira retaining the ride. #4 Ugly Warrior trialled well and although his best performances have come on the dirt, he has drawn favourably and with an early lead, he is capable of stringing this field out.