3 minute read
Brett Davis' provides exclusive preview of Happy Valley races.
It's Wednesday night action from Happy Valley and the 9 race card is highlighted by a class 2 over the 1200m. It's a cracking line up of good hearty sprinters with the majority elevating themselves throughout the courses of the season to there current peak rating...but is there a genuine group sprinter amongst them....?
It's no secret "Amazing Star" has always had untapped ability but early soundness issues to go with it. "This Is Class" winning three of four this season indicates he's extremely smart, but he's been kept at the valley in a comfort zone away from shatin. "Shining Ace" and "Shining Gem" are both genuine and at the top of there game right now, likewise "Larson"...but can they lift themselves to a whole new level..? Perhaps it might be left to former Australian galloper "Colada" now titled "Prince of Frog" who won the Group 2 Stan Fox in Sydney last October before his importation to Hong Kong...I'd be very surprised!!
The question I'm asking is who are the next big players for Hong Kong In the sprinting ranks..?
Beat The Clock hasn't been seen since February, Mr stunning now retired and Aethero bled badly his last start meaning, its highly likely there's trouble in the long run for him...no doubt.
Hot King Prawn runs In Sunday's Group 3 Sprint Cup but he's no Nature Strip.
Big Party has promised plenty but hasn't stood up or coped with the pressure from the top echelon.
"Thanks Forever" has a big heart and indicates perhaps he might be the best going forward plus Might Giant warrants a small mention but still has plenty to prove.
So I'm wondering where are the new sprinting stars..? For all the millions spent on buying classy PP and PPG's...where are they..?
Yes there was "J J The Jet Plane" and the freak "Lord Kanaloa", but in the 14years I spent watching the big sprint races Hong Kong dominated. Let's keep the fingers crossed tightly that something steps up, because Hong Kong Racing needs a big spike in this area and needs it now.
R1 - 1,2,6,8,5
R2 - 1,9,3,7,8
Race 3
#10 Seize The Spirit did very little right in his first full season of racing, however he's looked and raced a much improved galloper this term which began back in December. A touch of patience early in his races has brought about some good final sectionals and tonight's race should provide the tempo he requires to close strongly.
#5 Blooming Spirit has handled the step up in to class 4 company with flying colours. He's drawn ideally to gain the run of the race and is extremely difficult to oppose.
#6 Lightning Steed hasn't had a lot of racing the last few months and should strip fitter following an extremely tough run last start, it was a huge effort in defeat.
#11 Plikclone hasn't been worth following with great confidence since day one but recent efforts are better than they read, he is worth including at odds.
#3 Focus has shown a liking for the longer races recently and without blinkers, the good draw again makes it difficult to leave him out of calculations.
Selections : 10,5,6,11,3
R4 - 2,3,9,4,1
Race 5
#7 Amazing is racing in terrific fashion but just can't draw a decent barrier and again tonight he's got gate 12. However, I'm happy to take the chance each way hoping for a scramble early which looks a possibility. His closing sections have been consistently brutal all season and with the rail in the C+3 position the gaps should open up for him once they turn for home. An unimpeded passage from thereafter is vital so I'll be looking for him to appear in the final stages.
#1 Ares is the youngster on the up and won a trial at shatin leading all the way in preparation. If he gets in to that position on race night with no pressure he's hard to beat, but the other jockeys and connections should be aware of that.
#4 Monkey Jewellery has drawn outside the top weight and in all likelihood Moreira shall try to follow Purton over to the rail from the jump. If that's the case and there's no other early pressure from below then they probably fight it out.
#3 Harmony N Home raced handy from the good gate last start, with the 7lb claimer atop tonight you'd imagine he goes forward. He has his fair share of ability but is still raw, his best efforts to date have been riden with patience.
#2 Hero Time took an age to win again but he got it done last outing. If the pace I'm envisaging unfolds here then that creates a similar environment for him to run at over the final 200m.
Selections : 7,1,4,3,2
R6 - 4,2,6,8,5
R7 - 1,3,4,7,6
R8 - 2,6,7,1,9
R9 - 1,7,4,3,2
