3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Happy Valley races.
RACE - 1 MUT WAH HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'C' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.76 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:08.92
Winner: A LA KING (AUS 3yo g Denman – Red Magnum) is a product of Queensland, Australia where he was a trial winner, twice changing hands through yearling and two-year-old sales. He joined Jimmy Ting and has been well prepared with a handful of trials and looked ready to go well here off a sound preparation. Impressive making his run from three deep the fence to come one-off and surge through to win easily in the hands of Neil Callan, his first winner in a few meetings since a Class 4 success on January 20. Future looks bright for this youngster.
Runner-up: JUST NOT LISTENING gained a lovely run trailing and in front of the winner throughout, took the rails run and fought on strongly. A better effort, he had not placed for a few starts since April 2020 so good to see him show something in his fourth start for Benno Yung after earlier winning three for John Moore.
Run Of The Race: ERNEST FEELING superb from beyond midfield, off the bit and chasing off the back straight and very strong late picking up several runners to dash into third. An $A35,000 yearling via the 2019 Melbourne Inglis Sale. He made his way to Hong Kong and trialled on three occasions never showing up, though race rider Chad Schofield had a good feel of him each time and knew him well. We stand up and take notice of this powerful debut.
Disappointment: GALLANT LEGACY gained a nice lead and was expected to be tough to peg back but he surrendered soon after straightening. Warm favourite WINS ALL trapped three deep for much of the trip and gallant in the end in fourth.
Comparison: Under standard, a good time on the C course.
Market Mover: GALLANT LEGACY $6.90 to $5.40
Suspended: Tony Piccone (GALLANT LEGACY) for interference at the 1050m mark. Two days.
RACE - 2 MUT WAH HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'C' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.71 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:08.92
Winner: RED BRICK FIGHTER (AUS 5yo g Artie Schiller – Tarlaquena) has his first start in Class 4 since July 2019, incredibly each run since then in Class 5. He broke through to win in July 2020, spelled and has returned a solid performer, placed twice leading to victory in the class rise. A perfect ride from Matthew Poon, soon into the trail from gate four and never left the rail after, dashing along the paint to career to victory two in start 18 for trainer David Hall. He will have to spend a little longer in Class 4 due to this form resurgence.
Runner-up: VICTORY IN HAND started a warm favourite and expected to be very tough to run down once in front with Vincent Ho on board, his final 100m just inferior to the winner. A drought for him, he won a double on either side of New Year in 2019-2020 and has not been able to salute since in 11 starts. The son of O'Reilly should get his turn soon.
Run Of The Race: Mark down debut runner EVERYONE'S VICTORY as a horse to follow. He bugled the start to be last away, took the shortcuts on the fence to travel up behind the leading half and then ran into bricks walls in the straight. Zac Purton had plenty of horse left. And a nice type he is. HOT CHILI PEPPER did well from gate 12 to dash into fourth from a long way back.
Disappointment: SURE WINNER was strongly fancied at $3.80, he dwelt a little at the jump, regathered to third line inner an did not respond in the straight when asked.
Comparison: Slightly quicker than the first Class 4 event and the rail looks on tonight.
Market Mover: HOT CHILI PEPPER $23.60 to $16.00
Suspended: K C Leung (GOOD LUCK MONEY) for careless riding at the 250m. Two days.
RACE - 3 WAI YIP HANDICAP, HK $750,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 – Turf 'C' Course – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 0:57.52 Standard Time: 0:57.30 Course/Class Record: 0:56.87
Winner: JOY AVENUE (NZ 4yo g Echoes Of Heaven – Viking Angel) shows massive improvement beaten over 34-lengths November 4 when last seen race day on the all-weather track continuing a run of eight consecutive outs. Three trials since that race for Dennis Yip and the last two quite good, he was showing some improvement, so the tote move tonight from 54/1 to 30/1 a pounce on an offering of exceptionally long odds for a horse who was realistically a 20/1 chance. Back early Matthew Poon worked him into the race coming to the turn, quickly drew wide to make his run and the finish undeniable, an easy win in the end, made to look easier than it was. A very constant early pace did play into his hands.
Runner-up: AFTER ME particularly brave in chasing hard into second, he got involved in that early stoush, eased out of it to be fourth the outer and he picked himself up to be nice and solid again late. Seven previous starts this season had been moderate, the best result a seventh, Blake Shinn getting a little more out of him tonight. He won three last season, at 1000m, 1200m and 1650m so hard to know where he heads next.
Run Of The Race: Hard to go past the winner his run outstanding in charging from off pace to put them away rather quickly. FLYING MONKEY was super good, he burned extremely hard from wide out and to keep kicking so strongly was testament to his fortitude.
Disappointment: DR EQ was a $4.00 chance expected to run very well, given a perfect trip from gate one and he failed to run on.
Comparison: Quick opening half and they dragged their feet a little more late to be a touch outside standard.
Market Mover: JOY AVENUE $54.40 to $31.00, FLYING MONKEY $9.60 to $6.50
RACE - 4 MUT WAH HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'C' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:10.15 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:08.92
Winner: MERCURIAL (AUS 4yo g Hussonet – Danzeround The Sun) was beaten a nose second start to the races back in November and looked handy, beaten twice since but the money came for him in bucketloads to win this and he had to be good to do it. Trapped four-wide on speed in a charge for the front he had to keep going on with it to finally make it to the rail, had the audacity to kick away on the turn and maintain a clear margin for home. An outstanding win though a holiday for Jerry Chau who made a sharp inward move to take the lead and in doing so checked three runners inside him. A promising horse with Tony Cruz and there is more to come after this rather impressive display.
Runner-up: PLIKCLONE was three-wide and a place underneath the winner, copped a check at the end of the back straight but rallied strongly to hold a clear second. Grand continuation of a strong formline, four starts this season for two Class 5 wins followed by a pair of Class 4 runner-up finishes. Another rather handy horse in the David Hall team. He failed to run a place in 10 starts last season and is now much improved.
Run Of The Race: First two were terrific given all the work they did. After getting back early both debutant SUNNY BABY and multiple race winner WOOD ON FIRE were doing lovely work late, the former an Ifraaj three-year-old with David Hayes.
Disappointment: Disappointing for punters to see PEAK TO PEAK cop a nasty check at a crucial stage and his effort was very brave to regather and try again.
Comparison: The slowest of the three Class 1200's tonight, the jostling for the front was not as significant in the end looking at the overall time.
Market Mover: MERCURIAL $9.60 to $4.30
Fined & Suspended: Jerry Chau (MERCURIAL) $40,000 and three days for careless riding at the 600m mark.
RACE - 5 HOI YUEN HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'C' Course – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:39.09 Standard Time: 1:39.80 Course/Class Record: 1:38.61
Winner: SAVAQUIN (NZ 4yo g Savabeel – Sequin) just a class above these, 130lb and back in the field after settling were on no issue to an obviously incredibly talented horse. After impressively taking his maiden win in Hong Kong on January 27 at this track and trip, he backs it with one just a good on the eye, Zac Purton jumping in to replace a suspended Joao Moreira. This horse raced four times in Australia for a two wins in Perth and Victoria before making his way across to the John Size stable. Rapidly making his way up the ratings ladder he now knocks on the door of Class 2. And that will not stop him, either.
Runner-up: FARSHAD was brave in the chase, a decent trip fourth the outer and wider the turn to make his claim he kept on the kicking bravely under Karis Teetan to hold second from a good bid late from GIFT OF LIFELINE who was his usual honest self.
Run Of The Race: A one horse affair, they simply could not match SAVAQUIN for class and he won this so easily he second rated them. Promising work from SURREALISM late, he may be one to follow into his next start or two.
Disappointment: SMOOTHIES was always going to lead but he drew some attention in the opening 600m of the race and that told later. A better one was expected from him though the time suggested he had worked too hard too early.
Comparison: Seven-tenths under standard and that showed how hard they went through that opening half-mile in particular.
Market Mover: GIFT OF LIFELINE $6.30 to $5.00
RACE - 6 HUNG TO HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'C' Course – Distance 2200m – Track Good
Time: 2:16.48 Standard Time: 2:16.25 Course/Class Record: 2:14.88
Winner: CHARITY FUN (IRE 4yo g War Command – Patuca) immediately falls back onto a saying pedigree and a maiden success at 2000min Ireland in showing his dominance over the longer journey tonight, simply untouchable in a fine display of stamina. Impressive on debut back to January 20 when he dashed home from well back over 1650m, this stacked up perfectly for him and punters agreed, 75/1 on debut, starting $4.80 here. An easy ride for Karis Teetan, sat in the trail from gate one and never went round a horse – the final 200m so dominant he could have run another lap. At 2000m and beyond this horse is going to be a serious player out of the Danny Shum stable. Stunning 22.70 last 400m at the end of a 2200m race.
Runner-up: XIANG BAI QI game in defeat, beaten by a superior stayer buy his own performance was excellent travelling sweetly third the outer and strong through the wire. A moderate record with one win from 34 starts but his turn will come beyond 1650m soon.
Run Of The Race: Mark down this winner as a particularly good stayer who will win his share in Hong Kong. Honorary mentions to ARROGANT and VINCI who came from off-pace to be strong into third and fourth respectively.
Disappointment: Both HAPPY MY BROTHER and STIMULATION were well favoured, but they ultimately did too much work early to share the pace and were found wanting,
Comparison: A tick outside standard, mixed pace and the winner explosive on the clock late. Overall, quite stop-start.
Market Mover: GOD OF DRAGON $19.50 to $9.30
RACE 7 - TSUN YIP HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 – Turf 'C' Course – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:40.09 Standard Time: 1:40.10 Course/Class Record: 1:38.83
Winner: VILLA FIONN (AUS 6yo g Sebring – Aeronwy) ups his game with a lovely win at his favoured trip, now three times successful in Hong Kong and all over a mile. Recent form had been quite positive in searching for his very-best and winning rider Antoine Hamelin had struck a good combination with the former Mick Price-trained gelding in latter starts. Outstanding performance to get home, third from last and giving them a big start, chasing hard at the 600m wen the pace went on. Hamelin found space as he angled into centre-track and the finish undeniable late in the contest.
Runner-up: FAST PACE was given a great ride from Neil Callan and on most occasions the horse would win, he simply bowed to a very smart performance. Two wins and three placings from his last six starts for the Caspar Fownes-trained gelding who has hit his mark this term with more to come, though he now looks like a graduate into Class 3.
Run Of The Race: WINNING VOLATILITY came from a hopeless position, back last and the entire field in front of him at the point of the turn. Three previous runs had not suggested a major lift but the Irish-bred flew home into third at 110/1 in a stunning turnaround in fortunes.
Disappointment: MALDIVES ran about again in the straight and cost himself after looming to win it at the turn.
Comparison: Bang on the standard.
Market Mover: FAST PACE $14.70 to $7.60
RACE - 8 HIP WO HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'C' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.97 Standard Time: 1:09.65 Course/Class Record: 1:08.68
Winner: SCORES OF FUN (AUS 4yo g Reward For Effort – Montana Hilton) wins in a no surprise performance, such a tradesman he is but better than that, winning his fourth from just 12 starts having placed in another six. John Size has trained better horses but on the score of consistency, and fun, few match this dude. A nose all he had to spare late but those good horses make sure it goes their way. Outside leader and making his own luck with the 133lb, Karis Teetan the rider after one unsuccessful attempt earlier this season.
Runner-up: SHOUSON was an attractive proposition getting all the way back to 114lb at the bottom of the weight scale and he nearly got his army of supporters' home. Sixth the outer he was never far from the winner in the run and made it interesting inside that final 50m. Over 20/1 the previous outing, he was heavily backed into a $4.10 starting price here.
Run Of The Race: HERCULES has really picked things up again of late after a few runs that went a little sideways. Is charge from last into third another confidence building performance as he shows renewed vigour.
Disappointment: JAZZ STEED too far back from a low draw proved costly and though making up good ground he was always too far away.
Comparison: Outside of standard and little light on genuine speed this race.
Market Mover: SHOUSON $6.00 to $4.10
RACE 9 - HIP WO HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 – Turf 'C' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.26 Standard Time: 1:09.65 Course/Class Record: 1:08.68
Winner: IGNITING (AUS 4yo g Starspangledbanner – Sell In May) has done this before and no surprise to any that he would easily break standard in dashing along in front and proving a major handful to reel back. A great night in the saddle ends on a high for rider Matthew Poon who takes the opportunity with both hands, completing a treble after earlier win aboard Red Brick Fighter and Joy Avenue. He was simply a passenger here early in the race, ultimately not just a sit and steer job on this keen front-runner who ran about late, but one who shaves a good four-tenths off standard in the fastest sprint on the card. Win two in start six in Hong Kong for this former Maher-Eustace-trained gelding who won two from 12 out of Victoria.
Runner-up: WIND N GRASS loomed as a likely winning chance at the 200 metres but that winner was still galloping powerfully and ran away again at the line. Purton knew the capabilities of the winner having ridden him to success and obviously planned to try and dive bomb him late. Racing so well but not winning right now this fellow, eight starts this season without a victory and just a matter of time until he bounces on back.
Run Of The Race: CLASSIC POSH comes up well ahead of the rest sectionally, dashes a 22.65 last 400m to come from near last into fifth, the winner ran 23.32 and runner up 22.83.
Disappointment: BABY failed to fire and disappointed rider Vincent Ho. Vetted, no findings.
Comparison: Very slick to be four-tenths under standard on a night where they did not set the world on fire.
Market Mover: WIND N GRASS $4.10 TO $
