3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Happy Valley races.
RACE - 1 GLADIOLUS HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 0:57.10 Standard Time: 0:57.15 Course/Class Record: 0:56.39
Winner: JOYFUL WIN (AUS 3yo g Shooting To Win – Miss Kistler) had not hinted at a lot in three previous outings but lifts nicely fourth up for the career to capitalise on a perfect trip and win well for Ricky Yiu and in-form rider Derek Leung. Sharp early speed out of the gates to be sharing the lead, happily handed those duties up and trailed third before making an undeniable dash off the home corner. Yiu paid $A140,000 for him out of the 2019 Inglis Melbourne Sale, has been patient with the horse after he showed promise when trialling. With good tactical speed there is more to come from this fellow, a lovely step forward tonight.
Runner-up: TRAVEL DATUK registers runner-up finish number 11 in running his usual very honest race, a strong finish from just off speed, frustratingly it continues a winless streak of 48 starts which is quite hard to believe the way he is racing. Three seconds and two third in his last five starts and surely gets his winning reward very soon. Heading to $HK 4 million in stakes without winning a race!
Run Of The Race: FLAMING PASSION did a nice job from sixth the fence to attack the line strongly after finding space close to the rail, a much-improved result after failing on debut at short odds in December. A $NZ420,000 purchase out of the Ready To Run Sale.
Disappointment: Money came for NEXTMODEL and U W BROTHER late as it often does, but after jumping out and rolling along they were the first beaten. NEXTMODEL was vetted and found to have substantial blood in the trachea.
Comparison: A few spots of rain about and they run right on standard, we watch the weather closely.
Market Mover: NEXTMODEL $8.20 to $6.90, U BROTHER $6.50 to $5.10
RACE - 2 PRIMULA HANDICAP, HK $750,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:41.52 Standard Time: 1:40.30 Course/Class Record: 1:39.11
Winner: PRESIDENT STAR (AUS 5yo g Dundeel – Exotic Escape) has a rather moderate record leading to this, just the one placing from 14 previous attempts. A shade surprising to see him going around 5/1 here, though a trial run on February 5 was the pointer, he had been freshened up since last racing in md-December and looked a sharp horse without being pushed in that trial on the dirt. It took the length of the straight to reel in a gallant TREASURE CHEST but he made it to salute for the first time for trainer Danny Shum and rider Vagner Borges. A horse that spends a lot of time in the swimming pool, he found his race tonight. Off a lowly rating of 26-points he gets at least another win before rising in class again.
Runner-up: TREASURE CHEST ran fourth on December 2 and backed up four days later to win at Sha Tin on the dirt, so Ricky Yiu had the same tactics in mind after running him Sunday at Sha Tin when placing on the dirt, quickly onto the Wednesday night meeting and almost the same result, beaten in the final stride after leading and slipping clear before the home turn. His 10th start this season and he loves it.
Run Of The Race: GALAXY RACER from back in the middle, fired home nicely, just missed winning himself and three more strides he does. Now 18 starts without a win and onto his third trainer in Richard Gibson, this clearly his career best so far. HUMBLE STEED did some good work wide from well back.
Disappointment: INDIGENOUS STAR was given a great trip trailing third and fourth the rail and did not yelp in the straight.
Comparison: It looked very muddling and it was. Blake Shinn rated his mount Treasure Chest to near perfection in front, sprinting sharply after setting a slow pace.
Market Mover: TREASURE CHEST $6.50 to $4.50
RACE - 3 PEONY HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1800m – Track Good
Time: 1:50.31 Standard Time: 1:49.60 Course/Class Record: 1:48.30
Winner: DIONYSIS COLLIN (AUS 5yo g Dream Ahead – Charlety Star) had been a rather consistent galloper last season running several placings and grabbed an 1800m win on this track. A poor start to his 2020-2021 campaign, six starts and the closest he managed a sixth in early January. So, off to Conghua he went, won a trial there on February 1 and arrived back at Sha Tin just five days ago. The change in training works a treat for Francis Lui, he gets the desired result out of the handy gelding and thanks to a lovely ride from regular stable jockey Vincent Ho. Seventh the fence from a wide gate, he saved all the ground he could and appeared with plenty to offer at the top of the straight. Class 4 keeps him for some time yet after coming off a rating of just 45 points into this.
Runner-up: OWNERS STAR was given every chance by Zac Purton and he fought on strongly in second, getting over early from a wider gate to find the fence and his run an economical one. Twice placed at 1800m in his last three starts, disappointing at 2200m last time around so he finds his range again here. Lone career win did also come at 1800m on this track in 2019.
Run Of The Race: CHEERFUL STAR was fourth from last and with plenty to make up inside the final 600m, his effort very tidy to carve his way past several the field from that point and into third. A back runner who continues to run on in his races without winning. PERFECT TO PLAY ran a race-best 23.94 the last 400m into fourth, a good effort from well back.
Disappointment: FULL POWER was given a good run in front but when taken on inside the final 800m he was soon under serious pressure. Can do better than that.
Comparison: The rain was still lingering so the time outside of standard looks about right under the overhead conditions.
Market Mover: OWNERS STAR $3.80 to $3.00
RACE - 4 DAFFODIL HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:39.90 Standard Time: 1:39.80 Course/Class Record: 1:38.61
Winner: SUNNY STAR (USA 4yo g Flatter – Suzee Sunrise) handles everything put in front of him, last season's impressive debut winner as a Griffin now registering his third win from just nine race starts under the guidance of Francis Lui who goes back-to-back after success in the previous. A strong tempo suited his style, he likes to be unhurried early and save his petrol for later and Alexis Badel gave him a peach of a ride, no hustle until he took a split around the turn then off after runaway leader WEALTHY DELIGHT. Simply too powerful over the final 150m. Versatile type his fellow as far as distance is concerned, a 1000m win to open his account now running right through the line at 1650m just 10 months later.
Runner-up: WEALTHY DELIGHT could not quite make it successive wins over the 1650m at Happy Valley. He made a big run from 800m out to take command and then shot clear with favourite punters patting themselves on the back as Joao Moreira kicked him for home. Tired legs late and that told, he could not hold out the spritely SUNNY STAR. Not Joao's first aggressive ride tonight, so far, those tactics are yet to pay off to the extreme.
Run Of The Race: Hard to split the top two, best ride won the race, the runner-up worked much harder and was super in defeat.
Disappointment: South African import PARTERRE did not show anything first up in Hong Kong, disappointing to see him battle and finish well beaten but we could expect the Group placed horse to improve. He was not weighted well versus the field here. ROYAL BOMB copped a nasty check at the 600m and that halted his momentum.
Comparison: A tenth outside of standard and they really rolled along so the track clearly getting to that dead side of good with some precipitation.
Market Mover: ROYAL BOMB $4.00 to $3.20
Fined & Suspended: Joao Moreira (WEALTHY DELIGHT) $60,000 and two days for careless riding at the 600m.
RACE - 5 ORCHID HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:10.51 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:08.92
Winner: DAILY BEAUTY (AUS 5yo g All American – Mixed Emotions) gets the breakthrough win he had promised for a while, nine starts deep into his season campaign and finally back on the top of the pile. He bowed out a winner at the end of last season over 1650m, but back to 1200m to win his second race for Caspar Fownes. He failed at 1650m the previous start but had tended to show better form at the shorter trips. Missing the kick a touch from gate one he soon found himself up behind the leaders and was off the fence and there to strike at the poignant time. Win one for Joao Moreira tonight.
Runner-up: JOLLY GOOD HEART gave a great sight in front, looked a likely chance to be the first leader to get home tonight but the rush from DAILY BEAUTY just too powerful over the concluding stages. Back-to-back runner up finishes for the son of Danerich – he is yet to win from seven starts in Hong Kong but awfully close to achieving that. He won an 1100m maiden in Victoria before making his way offshore.
Run Of The Race: Two excellent efforts in a row from fourth-placed SMILING FACE who gave them a start and ran on resolutely. His previous outing was remarkably similar. A rise to 1400m or even a mile could be a move trainer Douglas Whyte looks at, he seems to be outpaced early in his races but strong late.
Disappointment: SPRINT FORWARD did not use gate two to full advantage, ended up two or three places further back than anticipated and did not really look like threatening. He was expected to do better and heavily backed late.
Comparison: Well outside standard and the leader never pushed. Rain increases, now quite heavy.
Market Mover: SPRINT FORWARD $6.50 to $4.30
RACE - 6 PEACH BLOSSOM HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:41.26 Standard Time: 1:40.10 Course/Class Record: 1:38.83
Winner: GALLANT CROWN (NZ 4yo g Hallowed Crown – Justagem) wins his third on end, one for each of the months of December, January, and now February as he continues this march forward for trainer Tony Millard. Impressive again off a nice sit sixth on the outer, Karis Teetan had to wake him up when the speed came right into the race at the 500m, but once he got around that tight final turn the power of his finish was undeniable. Three on end all at 1650m after a run of unsuccessful attempts in sprints – that tells the tale.
Runner-up: RIGHT HONOURABLE last won in October 2019 and therefore it has been a while since some success. He is close if this effort is the line in the sand, an excellent performance coming from back of midfield and wide the turn to maintain a strong charge in centre-track. Trainer Richard Gibson favours the 1650m races at the Valley with him. Each of six starts this term all at the track and distance. Drought should soon be over based on this one.
Run Of The Race: RIGHT HONOURABLE stood out alongside the winner, this pair were comfortably dominant of this field in the end.
Disappointment: CALIFORNIA LEGEND was backed as though it was his night, but he offered little in the straight after getting a cheap run outside the leader.
Comparison: Rain has a definite effect now.
Market Mover: GALLANT CROWN $6.70 to $4.30, CALIFORNIA LEGEND $13.50 to $7.10
RACE - 7 ORCHID HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:10.61 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:08.92
Winner: SPONTANEOUS (AUS 5yo g Unencumbered – Dowager Princess) resumes on top and no real surprise there after showing some real forward progress in three trials since a spell. Unplaced in four starts last term the son of former Magic Millions winner Unencumbered has returned a much better horse for the experience and Paul O'Sullivan had him primed to go first up, trial rider Vagner Borges obviously keen to stay with him. Gate two just ideal as he jumped first, took a sit on WHISKEY NEAT and off his back around the turn to kick away. A horse to follow, he is on the rise and winning a second race quickly looks highly likely.
Runner-up: ROMANTIC TROVE was third line the inner following the winner, came out and around heels coming to the turn and produced a strong bid in the middle of the track to run the winner to a neck. An eyecatcher at 40/1 the previous start he went around 6/1 here and proved why. Chris So has the Kiwi bred ready to strike winning form, only five starts into his career to date.
Run Of The Race: Favourite STOCK LEGEND burned hard from wide out to take the spot outside the leader and barely flinched, a margin behind the top two but he had reason to throw in the towel and did not. Brave run.
Disappointment: WHISKEY NEAT did not give much of a kick when he was expected to after finding a reasonably good lead.
Comparison: Some seven-tenths above standard which is the normal tonight.
Market Mover: TELECOM ROCKET $16.30 to $9.80
RACE - 8 AZALEA HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 0:57.05 Standard Time: 0:56.85 Course/Class Record: 0:56.11
Winner: KURPANY (FR 4yo g Mayson – One River) is too sharp for these, a very smart sprinter this boy beaten only by the draw in his previous outing but no issues here from the low gate and Joao steering him perfectly. A turn of speed from one gear to the next is something the good sprinters have and this French-bred has that ability to switch it up when asked to go. He was again dynamic off the corner tonight and quickly put the race beyond doubt when Joao gave him a little dig. Class 3 is way too easy for him, he will rise quickly to Class 2 and that grade will not hold him, either. Tactically, there is some work to do early in his races, but late he is lethal. Caspar Fownes has a good one there.
Runner-up: FLYING GENIUS chased a good horse home and brave in his endeavours after being slow out from barrier one. Christophe Soumillon saved the necessary ground with that inside running to charge into it later and it was fine performance from both horse and jockey to nail second money in a race that could have gone a little awry.
Run Of The Race: We highlight MOMENTUM GALAXY, STRIVE FOR GLORY, and NORDIC WELLSTAR who were all running this out strongly from well back.
Disappointment: Though he did some early work, WILD WEST WING was quickly beaten after straightening in front. He halved in tote price the final few minutes in a big surge.
Comparison: Two-tenths outside of standard on tonight's score is a particularly good time.
Market Mover: WILD WEST WING $16.80 to $8.40
RACE - 9 CINERARIA HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'B' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.97 Standard Time: 1:09.65 Course/Class Record: 1:08.68
Winner: EQUALETTA BLITZ (AUS 4yo g Equiano – Galleta) shows the form he can produce in start five in Hong Kong, the former Richard Laming-trained runner in Melbourne an impressive Caulfield winner at 1400m (as Equaletta) before he headed over to team up with Jimmy Ting. He debuted in October, the form has been good around him and without winning was not disappearing off the radar. The switch from 1400m at Sha Tin back to 1200m on the tighter circuit at Happy Valley has seemed to spark something, this was sharp. He had to find something to overhaul KA YING MASTER who was in a rampant mood in front but the final 100m in particular was fine work from the son of Equiano. Joao Moreira started his night slowly but winds it right up late to grab another treble (Vagner Borges a double).
Runner-up: KA YING MASTER tried desperately to become just the second leader all night to be able to hold on and win but he had to bow to the thundering hooves late. A quiet old night for rider Zac Purton who gave him a lovely run in front.
Run Of The Race: LOVING A BOOM missed the kick from the wide gate to get back a clear last and his performance to dash into third, matched with some wonderfully skilful riding from Jerry Chau, was the highlight of the race.
Disappointment: Gate one did not in the end get it done for WIND N GRASS who ended up probably three places further back than he needed from that draw. That gave others an advantage he could not reel back.
Comparison: Three-tenths above standard and that is a good time.
Market Mover: WIND N GRASS $9.20 to $6.30
