3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Happy Valley races.
RACE 1 - AUSTRALIA HANDICAP, HK $750,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:40.06 Standard Time: 1:40.30 Course/Class Record: 1:39.11
Winner: RUN THE TABLE (AUS 4yo g The Brothers War – Miss Cacciatore) leaps into calculations with punters off eight unsuccessful starts before this, never closer than fifth in that time but in the step backwards to Class 5 for the second time it seemed he was closer to form. Zac Purton gave him a beautiful trip in transit, always handy and one-one throughout, allowed one to zip off around him without taking the bait, then swooped on the turn when the time was right. Just a smart ride and in the end the margin was decreasing so he planned this perfectly. Francis Lui picked him up out of New Zealand as a two-year-old for $NZ180,000. He is now on his way to paying back connections. He is a half-brother to handy race mare Casa De Lago who won five for Patrick Payne.
Runner-up: NITRO EXPRESS probably wins the race with a crack at them earlier, his spot three-deep on the fence unlocked turning for home but then he ran into a couple of half-gaps until his turn came and he zipped through strongly, just too late. Going well the veteran, he was impressive late over the same distance here on November 8 and looked hard to beat off that. A long, long time since he last saluted, how about January 2017. He is undoubtedly ranked overdue. Punters thought so, heavy backing for him tonight.
Run Of The Race: ENJOYABLE SUCCESS was nice and strong late, well back, off heels to get across them and out wide then very good through the line inside that final 150m to run fourth, should have been closer to winning. His lone win came over 1800m and he ran like that extra distance would help him next time around. BABY STORM was used early from gate 12 and soon in the trail, fought hard in the straight when under pressure. A tidy effort.
Disappointment: ROMAN IMPERO had a good enough run as one of the better backed runners but he lacked any real finish to battle his way into a midfield finish.
Comparison: Track is good, they ran well under standard and really did pull up in the middle stages so perfect track conditions greet the international jockeys tonight.
Market Mover: RUN THE TABLE $12.30 to $6.20, NITRO EXPRESS $7.90 to $3.60
RACE 2 - BRAZIL HANDICAP, HK $750,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:10.62 Standard Time: 1:10.35 Course/Class Record: 1:09.73
Dead-heat Winner: SPEEDY OPTIMIST (AUS 5yo g Not A Single Doubt – Foxstar) started favourite, got the best run in the race behind obvious leader THE ABRAXAS and really should have won the race on his own. He shares it in the end and perhaps an apt result. A good solid turnaround in fortunes for this horse, seven times unplaced in 2019 and he had not raced for 12 months when resuming on October 28 on this track. Two minor placings now a dead-heat win is good work on his long-awaited return. That is two rides for a win and a half for Zac Purton who knows when it is time to hit form – International week.
Dead-heat Winner: GREAT HARVEST (AUS 5yo g Harbour Watch – Grojsman) was 15 starts without looking that likely before tonight, had raced four times this season and generally on or near the speed in each of those, tonight Alexis Badel had him a long way back and ridden cold, very swift late out wide to storm up and share success. Punters fell out of trees to back this one, $34 the tote 10 minutes out into a staggering $12.40 at the jump. The performance certainly matched the confidence. Trainer Manfred Man bought him out of the 2017 Inglis Ready To Run Sale for $A80,000.
Run Of The Race: Huge runs GREAT HARVEST and VITAL SPRING from a mile off them, the leaders did come back to them late but from so far back on this track the runs of both horses just excellent.
Disappointment: NOBLE DESIRE gained a good trip third line on the inner, got the run around the turn then seemed to find a little traffic trouble before clearing that and battling. Money was up again, as it was last start.
Comparison: Slow for the Class 5 sprinters, leader THE ABRAXAS usually ticks along a little faster than this in front, tonight he was allowed his own rules.
Market Mover: GREAT HARVEST $32.10 to $12.40, NOBLE DESIRE $4.60 to $3.00
RACE 3 - FRANCE HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:40.09 Standard Time: 1:40.10 Course/Class Record: 1:38.83
Winner: INCANTO PREPARED (NZ 5yo g Per Incanto – Prepared) continues his fine work, a second win in his last four starts for John Size and if he does not win always in the mix at the business end. Terrific win here, well back and searching for runs nearing the corner and a couple of his main dangers with a real jump on him. But as Joao Moreira does, he found a path, worked his way to the outside and booted the diminutive galloper home in stylish fashion. The Kiwi import now nudges his way towards $HK 2 million in stakes from two wins and five placings. He won two trial under the tutelage of Howie Matthews in NZ before making his way to Hong Kong. Off a rating of 52 he closes in quickly on the 60-point threshold of Class 3 but may sneak another run in Class 4 in the interim.
Runner-up: ZHAN JIANG ROCKS got his chance to beat the winner, he picked an earlier path through centre field before the turn and it seemed Zac Purton may have ridden the perfect race only to succumb over the final stages to the galloping hooves on INCANTO PREPARED. He did have to carry the 133lb and that showed over the concluding stages, another very steady performance though from this Irish-bred who last won in December 2019. Class 3 proved a little too rich for him last season and he may have to return there next time around.
Run Of The Race: None better than INCANTO PREPARED, he gave them a start and a beating and no excuses the rest. FAST PACE trapped three-wide the trip and gallant in defeat in third, never stopped trying. After some tote support at a price BLOOMING SPIRIT ran an improved race, a long way back and running on stoutly over the final stages into fifth. Fourth up this season for Frankie Lor he looked a little brighter after racing further back than normal. Both career wins have come at Happy Valley over the 1650m.
Disappointment: BULLETPROOF was well found by punters late in the piece and after tracking FAST PACE along three-deep with cover he was a beaten horse before the corner. His first run at Happy Valley and like many he would need a look. Could be a different horse next start.
Comparison: Bang on the standard, an odd stop-start sort of affair as they scurried in the first part and eased off.
Market Mover: BULLETPROOF $14.20 to $8.40, MORE THAN ENOUGH $24.90 to $15.50
Fined & Suspended: Karis Teetan (NATURAL WINNER) careless riding at the 1300m, $30,000 and two days.
RACE 4 - LONGINES INTERNATIONAL JOCKEYS CHAMPIONSHIP HANDICAP, HK $1,200,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 0:57.21 Standard Time: 0:57.15 Course/Class Record: 0:56.39
Winner: GOUTEN OF GARO (NZ 7yo g Per Incanto – Brookster) chalks up another win for grand sire Per Incanto, importantly another win for Joao Moreira as the magic man gets his International Jockeys Championship off on the highest note. Speeding to the lead Joao dictated all the terms as others searched for spots, the race soon over as the well-tried gelding booted away to put it out of reach of others. As Joao explained afterward the win came as a surprise given the horse had saved his best for Class 5 company and he had failed in his returning run in Class 4 on November 8. The long-time trier now with two wins and a second in his last four starts since the turn of the season. It will get harder for him now.
Runner-up: HAPPY GOOD GUYS just enormous in second money, trapped three-deep on speed and working harder than any other, he dived again the last 100m when he should have been fading on his run to grab second money. Class 3 was a little tough for him in the last month or so, and this drop back to Class 4 was fancied to help him and did. He may have to retreat out of Class 3 again to strike winning form but he is not far away from success. Last successful in March he is overdue for Ricky Yiu. Good early points for UK rider William Buick in the jockey's championship.
Run Of The Race: HAPPY GOOD GUYS was superior to them as far as the overall performance goes. Never easy to be on pace and wide and still get a major slice of the stake. FARM BUMPER looks a next up winner, or close to that form. Twice a winner over the 1000m at Happy Valley in the past he was a likely chance tonight but ended up a couple of places worse off than needed but sprinted well wide. Winning again is really close. Mark down HAPPILY FRIENDS. Good late work from him and in steadily slipping down the ratings this horse is ready to strike winning form for Jimmy Ting.
Disappointment: WINNER'S HEART was poor, heavily backed and failed to give any sort of a kick in the straight after working up to be outside the leader without being pressured too hard to be there.
Comparison: Just a touch above standard time in a race where they really did nothing early which was unexpected. The front trio found their spots without a war.
Market Mover: WINNER'S HEART $6.00 to $3.90
Suspended: William Buick (HAPPY GOOD GUYS) careless riding late in the race – two days.
RACE 5 - LONGINES INTERNATIONAL JOCKEYS CHAMPIONSHIP HANDICAP, HK $1,200,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:40.33 Standard Time: 1:40.10 Course/Class Record: 1:38.83
Winner: GALLANT CROWN (NZ 4yo g Hallowed Crown – Justagem) capitalised on a beautiful trip three-back on the outer and spending no petrol under Alex Badel, had to offer something when presented and he did, a big lift on effort from the Kiwi-bred who was fifth-up and a little disappointing in four already this season. Tony Millard found something better this week, Badel able to get the gelding to race somewhat handier than he has been and that all worked into a successful result. Seven starts for a lone placing before tonight, he was a trial winner in New Zealand before export and finds his feet after that transitional period, also factoring in he was unraced before his arrival so inexperienced. Stravinsky dam Justagem was a three-time winner ranging 1200m to a mile. Big lift for Alexis Badel in the jockey's championship, a fifth and a win vaulting him into the co-lead with Joao.
Runner-up: FEARLESS FIRE was sitting pretty one-one as Purton put another one in a winning position a long way from home. He kicked up to make his challenge at the turn and looked the one, picked up wider by the winner. David Hayes picked up the training of this fellow when he retuned to Hong Kong this season, and he has found success with him of late now a win and two placings in his last three, all at Happy Valley, all over 1650m. He is no star but a good genuine Class 4 horse who gave his best here.
Run Of The Race: MALDIVES exceptional from a long way last and flying home into third, smart saving of ground from leading French jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot who never left the fence on the corner and picked up many places. Not far away from a win this horse, he has had a couple of good opportunities not taken this season but on this effort he wins in Class 4 before much longer. His 22.71 final 400m blitzed the field for that sectional.
Disappointment: Odd run from the well-favoured ROYAL RACER who raced lethargic and kept Joao Moreira busy tonight. He was always going to get back from gate 12 but once he got back he never found a rhythm and was always chasing his tail, doing his best work too late. Ducking onto heels after turning for home REGENCY MASTER was also disappointing for punters but overall a good run with the top weight and strong once he finally got straightened up. NUNCHUKS sliced through in plenty of time and was quite plain late.
Comparison: Outside standard and quite muddling this pace, they were cruising it early and no real pace into it until late.
Market Mover: REGENCY MASTER $8.10 to $4.70, THUNDER STOMP $22.00 to $11.70
RACE 6 - MAURITIUS HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.88 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:08.92
Winner: WOOD ON FIRE (NZ 5yo g Per Incanto – Lutine Belle) breaks his maiden in start 19 in Hong Kong and what a spectacular performance winning like a Class 2 horse. He thrived on a hot pace, COLONEL striding right out to lead from the wide gate and that really opened the race up for allcomers. Rear and widest on the track off the home turn he flew home to get them in the final two strides, a wonderful effort. And how about sire Per Incanto – his third success on the night in the first six races and this sire just continues to produce stock that not only race well but race consistently. He is such a great producer of genuine racehorses. Trainer Peter Ho bought this gelding for $NZ75,000 as a yearling and he deserves success here after a frustrating run of misses with a horse who always looked likely.
Runner-up: WINS ALL and WHISKEY NEAT could not be split for second, the former flying home from back underneath the winner, the latter on speed from the outset, pounced to win it at the top of the straight and kicked back hard under siege. We had suggested WINS ALL would win again at any stage he was so close here. Chris So perseveres with Happy Valley with the big strider as his form has been exemplary here this term, now a win and two seconds in four starts since September.
Run Of The Race: Impossible to go past the winner WOOD ON FIRE, he gave them all a chance and powered on by them to win ever so impressively. WINS ALL was not far off that high standard, another excellent run. HERE COMES TED rattled out a strong final 400m too and was only really warning up at the finish. A 1000m to 1200m runner, he would enjoy a try at 1400m at this stage of his career.
Disappointment: Not too disappointing but favourite INNO LEGEND pounced on them at the furlong to win the race and he came to the end of it a little earlier than expected, close up in fourth at the end. NOBLE MAN sped along early to lead and then sit on the leader heels, first beaten turning for home.
Comparison: They seemed to rock and roll early but the time really did not show that.
Market Mover: WHISKEY NEAT $10.30 to $6.30
RACE 7 - LONGINES INTERNATIONAL JOCKEYS CHAMPIONSHIP HANDICAP, HK $1,800,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:39.21 Standard Time: 1:39.80 Course/Class Record: 1:38.61
Winner: GIFT OF LIFELINE (AUS 5yo g Pierro – Princess Quality) was powerful through the line for Zac Purton who looks a man on a mission this week. He soon had the Tony Millard-trained gelding into a perfect spot fourth the outer and ready to strike off a really good pace, the best tempo set here of any race on the card. Too speedy as he zipped around the home turn and away and gone. Handy horse, two wins last season in Class 3 at Sha Tin and he caps a busy start to his season winning in his sixth appearance since the beginning of September. When previously successful at Happy Valley it as at 1200m. Elusive Quality dam Princess Quality won five for Gai Waterhouse, mainly around 2009 when she took a winning double at Rosehill and Randwick, among others.
Runner-up: SMILING CITY gained a lovely run in the trail and with the aid of that run he loomed into it like he would win, succumbing to a better challenge from out wider from the winner. He has shown some promise this horse, but the winning strike rate is not there, just one win from 17 starts to date however this brings him a lot closer to that second victory. Not all that far away from a return to Class 4 and that would help him. More big points for Joao Moreira as he works his way towards success in the Longines International Jockeys Championship, now a clear leader.
Run Of The Race: SAVAQUIN impresses again, he has something there. Back and wide he hit the line strongly and looks a winner waiting to happen for John Size. SURREALISM also darted home strongly from the tail of the field in an improved showing fourth up for the season off three moderate performances. He can figure in the week ahead at Happy Valley, on a tough rating right now and that is making life difficult.
Disappointment: HALL OF CHAMP was unable to make up ground though sectionally he was tidy enough in a fast run race. A last start winner at Sha Tin over 1400m he was expected to do a little more here.
Comparison: A mile under standard, they can run a time if they feel like it. This was run so genuinely they had no option but to sit and wait, very few changes in the order throughout this.
Market Mover: HELENE WISDOMSTAR $13.20 to $9.20
RACE 8 - LONGINES INTERNATIONAL JOCKEYS CHAMPIONSHIP HANDICAP, HK $1,800,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.26 Standard Time: 1:09.65 Course/Class Record: 1:08.68
Winner: HARMONY N BLESSED (AUS 4yo g Magnus – Fly To Win) settled beautifully outside the leader under English rose Holly Doyle and he gave a great kick when she asked him to run, securing the final heat of the International Series in style. This horse remains unbeaten, a brilliant winner on debut at Sha Tin on November 22 when ridden by Blake Shinn, tonight back to the venue where he should have debuted – Happy Valley. He made his way to the starting gates in early November to make his race debut but became fractious and banged his head on the stalls and was late scratched. He puts that well behind him here, jumped well, settled nicely, and always in command of the race with his ability. A big thrill for Doyle, her first win in Hong Kong.
Runner-up: GRATEFUL HEART scored a lovely run in the trial, never went around a horse in dashing up the inside rail but he just could not match the quality of the winner tonight. Ryan Moore gave him very possible chance to complete an impressive hat-trick of Happy Valley sprinting wins, coming up a little short this time. Going great guns this horse, a big lift from a mediocre four starts as he settled into Hong Kong last season, now two wins and a second and a fourth in four this term. Danny Shum will get a lot more out of the two-time Australian winner yet.
Run Of The Race: WIND N GRASS has run ridiculously well against the tide, this race was dominated front-end and he has somehow managed to fire into third money from last in a 22.72 (400m) which bettered the winner, no mug as we know, who ran 23.23. Exceptional performance from the Irish bred who has run three particularly good races this season without a real reward, but that is coming. FLYING BONUS leads and holds onto a share of third money in the third dead-heat of the night. It would however be a clear win to Zac Purton in the Longines International jockeys Championship, a stellar night's riding from the multiple premiership winner, shading his long-time rival Joao Moreira.
Disappointment: LUCKY QUALITY not to be seen tonight, slow from gate two and on the back foot all the way from there. Needed to be tracking that front trio and was caught short.
Comparison: Another quick one, after a lacklustre start time wise they have flown along late in the night.
Market Mover: HARMONY N BLESSED $2.40 to $2.00
RACE 9 - UNITED KINGDOM HANDICAP, HK $2,200,000
Class 3 – Rating 100-80 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1800m – Track Good
Time: 1:48.96 Standard Time: 1:48.70 Course/Class Record: 1:47.61
Winner: GLORIOUS ARTIST (IRE 6yo g Zoffany – Queenie Keen) ends a huge night in huge style, at a huge price. The Frankie Lor-trained gelding way out in the market as they rushed to be on others, and even after a solid run on the dirt last time the punters did not want to know. Keith Leung did, he jumped him out and took a perfect spot fourth outer, presented him at the top of the straight and he maintained a strong gallop to wear them down, narrowly, but well. At 68/1 punters were rocked as they expected him to be one of the also rans on the turf track. His success has come on the all-weather surfaces so a turnaround in fortunes for him tonight. A good bet on his favoured dirt track next time based on this.
Runner-up: PACKING WALTHAM loomed large third up in Hong Kong after two eye-catching runs at Happy Valley on debut, then Sha Tin in late November. If anything, a little disappointing seeing him beaten by the winner here after using the inside draw and a gun run to his advantage, but unable to quite get the job done at the business end. Still acclimatising we must remember, he kicked off his training in June and it takes a while for them to find their way. Nice horse, tough rating off three wins from four starts in France but we will see that form rise to the surface again. Obviously not far away.
Run Of The Race: SAVVY NINE got the through the line strongly tonight into third money, just his second start at Happy Valley having done most of his racing in tougher fields at Sha Tin, numerous times in Group company. He is promised so much, not delivered on that promise yet. And let us say yet, because he keeps us all interested with his standout looks and ability without being a winner. It must come. He ran fourth in the Derby behind Golden Sixty in March.
Disappointment: The heavily backed MAXIMUS was off the pace and never a threat here, slow away and wee shuffle up but just never in the chase later and all the money went down the drain as the outsider galloped on home. Just his second race start in Hong Kong after winning four out of four in France and Great Britain before his move across the ocean. That form will return.
Comparison: Leader BEAR AGAIN ended up getting it easy in front and the time reflective of that, some way outside of standard.
Market Mover: MAGNIFICENT $40.00 to $17.50
