3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Happy Valley races.
RACE 1 - NEPTUNE HANDICAP, HK $750,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 – Turf 'C + 3' Course – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:40.06 Standard Time: 1:40.30 Course/Class Record: 1:39.11
Winner: HAPPY HOUR (NZ 6yo g Mastercraftsman – Jolly Genie) secures win two from start 30 in a turnaround in fortunes for trainer Dennis Yip who had failed to get much out of the gelding in three starts this season, all in Class 5. He returns to his winning trip of December 2019 so lightning strikes twice as the Kiwi-bred makes it home almost a year to the day when he broke maidens. Money early, rated juts a $6.00 chance before a late drift, so there was some confidence about for him. Zac Purton the man for the job, saved every inch of ground on the fence midfield, through to chase after them 200m out and too powerful in the last few strides to get the narrow win.
Runner-up: PERFECT TO PLAY was expertly guided across to the fence and trailing the speed from a wide gate by Joao Moreira, darted through to be the winner 150m from home and just failed to hold out the former. His first ever start in a Class 5 event after all his past form had come in Class 3 at a ratings high of 64 points. He slipped into this grade after seven successive defeats this season in Class 4 and was expected to go very well as a result. Might be back in Class 4 with a point or two here but will win soon once he returns to Class 5 again.
Run Of The Race: VIRTUS STAR was never really any closer than three-deep after being wide early and unable to slot in, sat back and swooped coming towards the turn and sustained his finish. Trying for four wins in a row here, but far from disgraced. Also strong and beaten by a wide gate was NITRO EXPRESS, a horse racing well without luck, none again tonight. He is overdue.
Disappointment: WONDER BRAHMA was heavily backed bit failed to give a lot, trailed the leader and gone after a half-dozen bounds around the turn to drop out. Certainly not a run that matched the confidence in betting. Rider Matthew Poon believed the horse raced too keenly.
Comparison: Given we had rain before the meeting the time was a good one, under standard and a good sign for the races to come.
Market Mover: WONDER BRAHMA $7.00 to $4.60
RACE 2 - URANUS HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'C + 3' Course – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:38.99 Standard Time: 1:40.10 Course/Class Record: 1:38.83
Winner: INCANTO PREPARED (NZ 5yo g Per Incanto – Prepared) grabs his third win this season for trainer John Size in a stellar run of form, in doing so achieving a major milestone for rider Joao Moreira who chalked up his 1000 th winning ride in Hong Kong, an incredible effort given his relatively short tenure here after coming post a Singapore contract. This horse will now have to slip up to Class 3 after his third 1650m win at Happy Valley in two months. Hugging the fence Moreira used all his smarts to sit off a hot speed and reel them as he liked, smart performance again from this son of Per Incanto. Plenty of reasons for Joao to smile after this one, a well-deserved and wonderful achievement.
Runner-up: MORE THAN ENOUGH did a big job based on the time he set it and just would not give in as others on the pace were falling away. A nice return to some form from him, quite a way below his best in three previous appearances but ridden in front tonight, where he had never been, was the catalyst for an improvers run.
Run Of The Race: INCANTO PREPARED second-rated them. METHANE was a real eye catcher, a conspicuous last and with loads to do he picked up many lengths inside the final half-mile to run fifth. Along with the third-placed GLORIOUS LOVER from well back in the field, he was the standout.
Disappointment: RUN THE TABLE had a lot of tote support, heavily backed to follow up on his Class 5 victory last start. But he was unable to repeat, shared the pace in fast time and over raced, was beaten on the turn. Perhaps he is a Class 5 horse.
Comparison: Very quick, as fast as we have seen for a while on this track shaving well over a second off standard time and just 0.16 outside record speed.
Market Mover: RUN THE TABLE $7.60 to $3.40
RACE 3 - SATURN HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'C + 3' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.72 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:08.92
Winner: MANAGEMENT SUPREME (AUS 4yo g Wandjina – Guelder) was heavily supported to win this in his fifth start this season and ninth of his career, breaking maidens in good style in overcoming a brave front-runner in Goodluck Goodluck who only relented late in the piece. Obvious confidence in the camp tonight, he was heavily backed from 8/1 into 4/1 at the jump so punters were happy he had found the right race and circumstances here. Vincent Ho did the job for Frankie Lor, they have shared a few bigger wins it is fair to say with Golden Sixty, but another enjoyable one for the pair as Christmas arrives. He was a $A140,000 yearling, sent to Hong Kong after three trials out of the Kris Lees stable in 2019. Dam Guelder is a full sister to former Newmarket Handicap winner and sire, Shamexpress.
Runner-up: GOODLUCK GOODLUCK set them a merry chase, kicked off the corner like he would hold them at bay and nearly did, a cagey ride from Keith Leung who continues to ride well. A long time since he won, the lone success in June 2018 when he obviously went amiss and was not seen again until February 2020. Two seconds from five starts this season and working his way to the winner's circle.
Run Of The Race: To the eye and off the clock the run of the race was NORDIC WARRIOR, the Irish-bred in Ricard Gibson's stable rattling home in 22.10 the final 400m which is quick around here. He was back near last and particularly good late into fifth.
Disappointment: HERCULES was a bit plain again, gained a good run under apprentice Jerry Chau, off the fence to make his claim and ran into some traffic when hanging inwards, but once clear not sparkling.
Comparison: Another decent time under standard. This track has really quickened up with a shower on it.
Market Mover: MANAGEMENT SUPREME $8.80 to $4.90, WINNING STRIKES $12.90 to $8.90
RACE 4 - JUPITER HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'C + 3' Course – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 0:57.06 Standard Time: 0:57.15 Course/Class Record: 0:56.39
Winner: HAPPY GOOD GUYS (AUS 5yo g Zoustar – Sunday Chill) has been such a consistent racehorse, even when beaten he usually goes a good race, tonight one of the better ones in springing off a lovely sit one out and one back to grab a rampant U W Brother late in the piece. Success second up in Class 4 after dropping back from Class 3 last start and he went close to an immediate step up there, beaten but terrific in second money on International Jockeys night when ridden by William Buick. He was wide on the speed throughout that night and never flinched. Over the odds here at $5.60 based on that. Christophe Soumillon steps up and does the job, adding another win to his already impressive record since kicking off again in Hong Kong. A couple of suspensions, one on this horse, are about to blunt his progress, however. Trainer Ricky Yiu must enjoy taking this gelding to the races, he gets a great run every time.
Runner-up: U W BROTHER was slick in bouncing out of the machine to lead, had them in real trouble off the home turn when Joao slipped him some more leather and it looked like a race for second money. But he did come to the end of it late, allowing the former to nab him in the last two strides. He was always going to be hard to catch with 115lb on his back and proved so, now three placings to back up a win in his last four starts off a rating of 42. Unbelievably close to Class 5 again and he would smash them in current form.
Run Of The Race: A must watch is TOM'S STYLE, the former Australian winner in 2018 has had just six starts in Hong Kong since April this year when he debuted. Somewhere lost in translation between his Australian victory and Hong Kong debut. This his best performance to date, rear on the fence and diving between them to fire into fourth and should have been closer. Big watch horse next start, Francis Lui has this horse ready to win. TRAVEL DATUK again brave in third, that is start 46 without a win here, but he races better than that record shows right now. Trapped three-wide the trip VIVA CHEF showed some greater fortitude in finishing fifth, should have relented earlier the run he got.
Disappointment: Favourite UNITED WE STAND gained a decent trip behind the front group, Zac Purton took an inside run and though held up a couple of strides when looking for space he was very plain the final 150-200m.
Comparison: A shade under standard, they did seem to pull up a fraction once
they settled into their positions so not a flying 1000m by any means.
Market Mover: U W BROTHER $5.10 to $3.30
RACE 5 - SATURN HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'C + 3' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.55 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:08.92
Winner: HERE COMES TED (NZ 4yo g Per Incanto – Princess Annaliese) was due the bounce back win and home he rolls under the hot hands of Christophe Soumillon, the Belgian ace wasting no time making his mark, is he? Fifth and one off and onto the fence to follow Joao Moreira and Rewarding Together around the final turn it was a matter of switching off his heels to stake his claim but found a brief traffic issue before clearing the ruck. It did take the entire length of the straight to get there, but he did it with real determination. Another win for super sire Per Incanto, he barely misses a meeting without siring a winner in Hong Kong and already two tonight after Incanto Prepared was a winner earlier. David Ferraris trains this one, his second success in the month of December after Gouten Of Garo took a Class 5 win on December 9.
Runner-up: REWARDING TOGETHER was almost fully rewarded again after winning a corresponding Class 4 1200m dash on this track in late November. Back on his toes here with a moth between runs he was brave in defeat, looked the winner at the furlong but dragged in very late. Six start for a win and four placings for Frankie Lor, this horse was unraced in Australia after being purchased for $180,000 as a yearling, trialled twice for Adam Duggan before export.
Run Of The Race: UNIVERSAL GO GO was off the bit and chasing them for much of the way and looked 100/1 to figure coming to the turn. But he continued to rally and darted into third money in the end, a strong effort given he dropped a long ay in trip from a diet of 1650m racing back to 1200m. LITTLE PLAYER had traffic issues near the turn and was a long way back, fired home nicely for fourth in a race-best 22.91 the final 400m. Close to top form for David Hayes.
Disappointment: ONE HAPPY STAR saw good support but that did not mean success, he was a well-beaten last in the end. Outside leader and first beaten. Vetted, substantial blood found in the trachea.
Comparison: Another good time well under the standard, pace set by JOLLY GOOD HEART was a strong one and it gave all runners their chance to finish off strongly if good enough.
Market Mover: ONE HAPPY STAR $10.50 to $8.10 Suspended: Christophe Soumillon (HERE COMES TED) careless riding at the 200m mark. Two days.
RACE 6 - VENUS HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'C + 3' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.79 Standard Time: 1:09.65 Course/Class Record: 1:08.68
Winner: GRATEFUL HEART (AUS 4yo g Written Tycoon – Show Affection) was quickly into a winning position, rider Zac Purton immediately into the trail and chasing the obvious threat and hot favourite SUPER AXIOM. At the 400m it looked a two-horse race, 100m later and it was down to one, this horse away and gone as the favourite stopped like a pricked balloon. Win three from his last four starts, this horse absolutely flying for Danny Shum, and in between wins he ran a bottler in a heat of the International Jockeys Championship with Ryan Moore on board when second to a very smart horse in Harmony N Blessed. To Class 2 he goes, you get penalised for winning but the money is in the bank. Three starts two wins in Australia before joining Shum's stable so his winning ratio is excellent, 12 starts for five wins.
Runner-up: HARRIER JET jumped well and that put him a nice trailing spot, tracked them around the corner into third and kept on fighting as he always does. Such a good honest horse; Paul O'Sullivan has trained some champions in his lifetime, but this guy is a star in his own right. He will not win a big race, that is a guarantee, but when you take a horse to the races six times off a spell and he chalks up a win, two seconds, and three thirds you cannot help but admire him. And admire the bank account, nearly $HK 7 million in earnings.
Run Of The Race: SPARKLING DRAGON is a lovely progressive type, standout in the parade ring again for trainer Tony Millard and the son of O'Reilly again particularly good coming from midfield to snare third money, nearly second. He has not won since January when he kicked off a new campaign in style at Happy Valley, but he is clearly working his way back to winning form, now at the same rating when he won that race at the beginning of the year. LOVING A BOOM ran a slick last 400m to dash into fourth, good work from him.
Disappointment: SUPER AXIOM was terrible by those lofty standards we saw at Sha Tin when he gave them a galloping lesson up the straight over 1000m. Tonight he looked quite worked up heading to the barriers, bolted out of the machine to be in front in three strides but folded quickly after the home turn. Some things to work on for David Hayes. Vetted, found lame in both hind legs.
Comparison: Heading towards a second under standard and just outside record pace so SUPER AXIOM has obviously raced far too keenly in front.
Market Mover: GRATEFUL HEART $3.80 to $3.00
RACE 7- MARS HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'C + 3' Course – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:39.91 Standard Time: 1:39.80 Course/Class Record: 1:38.61
Winner: REEL BIZZY (IRE 4yo g Kodiac – Damask) emphatically leaps back to winning form courtesy of an aggressive ride early from Zac Purton to burn across from a wide gate to take command, never relenting after. Consistent this season with four placings from five previous runs, the Irish bred has continually risen in the ratings this term despite not winning, picking up a pint or two each time he ran in the money. Off a tough rating of 80 points tonight he proves too good. Two starts in France for this horse before making his way to Hong Kong to join Danny Shum. Slipped a length clear on the corner and maintained a neck advantage at the line here, just a smart Purton ride.
Runner-up: NOBLE STEED tracked the speed and looked likely 200m out when presented at long odds, fighting on well without worrying the winner. Good up in form from this fellow, his season had not really been going to plan but fifth up a better performance and one trainer Francis Lui can now work on to get the best out of him again. His winning form has been at Sha Tin at 1400m so perhaps the tighter Happy Valley circuit has not been his thing. Three starts here this season the only three in his Hong Kong career.
Run Of The Race: SAVAQUIN ran through the line nicely once again, a horse to have popped his head up on more than one occasion lately from the back of the field. Since John Size upped the ante from 1200m to 1650m the two-time Australian winner has found his niche, two strong finishing bursts in both attempts at this track and trip of late. Winning form in Australia was at 1400m. The Savabeel gelding is going to win one soon.
Disappointment: NABOO STAR was heavily backed, his first run since failing on the all-weather track on November 4 when very average, bounces back after a trip to Conghua where he trialled and won, then returned to Caspar Fownes for the final preparation. Under the odds here to be honest, 2.60 was not a price to be taken on latest form, trial win aside. He battled on late after a scrap for clear running with other runners.
Comparison: Just outside standard, perfectly rated by Purton, he mixed the pace and kicked too strongly.
Market Mover: REEL BIZZY$17.60 to $9.80, SAVAQUIN $740 to $4.20
RACE 8 - VENUS HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'C + 3' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.28 Standard Time: 1:09.65 Course/Class Record: 1:08.68
Winner: KINDA COOL (NZ 4yo g Per Incanto – Virginia Key) registers his third win from just eight starts, a hot start to his career for an in-form Frankie Lor stable who are churning out winners left, right, and centre at present. Another son of Per Incanto to do the job, his third win tonight in quite a remarkable effort from New Zealand's Little Avondale Stud sire. Pace was on here and suiting this horse who used a low draw to save ground on the fence, produced when Joao Moreira wanted him and too quick one into the clear as a warm $2.20 favourite should win. Each of his three wins have come over 1200m at Happy Valley, and like many of the Per Incanto stock they seem to rail so well around the tighter turns on this track. Making his way towards Class 2 such is his rise, but at least another run or two in Class 3 for him to follow.
Runner-up: SHOUSON got well back and ran through the line strongly, his best one in a while, three average results previously this season as he reverts to Happy Valley looking for improvement. No cigar in three tries at Sha Tin for new trainer Tony Millard before tonight, so a good bounce back from the former John Moore-trained galloper who picked up three wins at Happy Valley last season, all at Happy Valley, all over 1200m.
Run Of The Race: WIND N GRASS had plenty to do and was doing some strong work from the back as others failed to run this out, another strong effort from this Irish four-year-old who has won just the once from 17 starts here after winning four from six in Ireland and starting off here on a high rating. He is slowly finding his way to some middle ground and position in the ratings where he can be fully competitive.
Disappointment: STANLEY PARK had his chance, soon fourth the outer and nothing left in the tank when produced at the top of the straight. Soumillon gave it every show.
Comparison: Sharp sprint race, nice to see strong tempo in a short-course race. Well under standard.
Market Mover: KINDA COOL $3.30 to $2.20
RACE 9 - MERCURY HANDICAP, HK $2,200,000
Class 2 – Rating 100-80 – Turf 'C + 3' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.79 Standard Time: 1:09.40 Course/Class Record: 1:08.52
Winner: CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT (AUS 4yo g Deep Field – Vormista) was superb tonight, he had to be from a very wide draw and in being used up early a sitting duck for them to swoop upon him late. But to his credit he just maintained such a strong gallop to the line the glory was all his, win two from start 10 in Hong Kong for the Australian bred who won two-from-two for Peter and Paul Snowden in Sydney before his export to the Tony Cruz stable. Weight was the key tonight, just 116lb on his back in his Class 2 debut, all previous racing had been in Class 3 and after three minor placings in that grade this term his rating points tipped over the 80-point threshold to take him into the higher grade. Matthew Chadwick uses that advantage to ride a smart race, sharing the speed, had to switch ground when the leader Classic Unicorn ran outwards after straightening, and picked him up in the shadows of the post on his inside. Exciting finish.
Runner-up: WILL POWER switches up to the turf track for the first time since May, our best all-weather track sprinter just fantastic in tackling the turf for just the second time and nearly successful in doing so. Douglas Whyte took the opportunity to alleviate some of that weight from his back, as we anticipated he would, in taking stable apprentice Jerry Chau's 7lb claim, easing the top weight to a respectable 126lb. He just would not stop trying in the straight, the front pair seemed to have his measure but he dived at them in the last few strides to take this all the way, just missing out. Terrific run.
Run Of The Race: The first three were great. They ran time up front and gave others truly little opportunity to catch them in strong showings of fortitude. In heading towards record speed, they had reason to be a bit shy late, but this trio were the opposite.
Disappointment: GOLEN DASH was the one that ran on speed that did not quite get the last part right. But in a hot furnace like this race was there were always going to be some that did not cope so well.
Comparison: Very slick a couple of tenths outside of record speed to end what
was a fantastic night's racing on a track that allowed them to run time.
Market Mover: CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT $6.80 to $4.30 Fined & Suspended: Matthew Chadwick (CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT) $20,000 and three days for causing interference at the 550m mark.
