3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive preview of Happy Valley races.
Race 1
#7 Thunder Stomp is arguably the most durable galloper going around in Honk Kong and the 8yo shall front up tonight for start seventy three. He again recently showed us how much he still enjoys racing his fellow athletes with another tremendous and hearty front running display. Although cut down in the shadows and age now slowing him down a few lenghts his will and long time gate speed have not diminished. He'll find the lead again here tonight and whatever beats him is likely to win.
#1 Charge On is a very talented 4yo who's been kept in cotton wool most of his career with a bleeding attack last October putting a dampener on any further progression at the time. The trials leading in to his first up return suggested he'd run well but the market support did not follow and he finished a slow closing eighth. Second up tonight with Zac Purton aboard is positive and the market shall again tell a story. If he's feeling right within himself he's the most talented horse in this race.
#3 More Than Enough has raced ample times to now know he prefers things to roll along from the outset. He's a high speed grinder, opposed to the sit and dash type, who can find a position outside the lead tonight and make it a staying test from a long way out. When he led at pace three starts back the overall time recorded was 1.38.99, which is fast. The horse sitting back with cover won, "Incanto Prepared", and he's since gone on to win again since highlighting the strength of form to come out of that race.
#2 Regency Master's had excuses his last two because he's covered ground after not getting in from the wide gates he's drawn. His terrific record from five attempts over this track and distance is certainly relevant particularly with inform rider Mathew Poon again aboard. With his runs being well spaced since December the quicker back up in to tonight is positive and he's by no means a ruffy.
#8 Amazing Luck represents the value because he hasn't been placed all season but tonight finally draws a gate. Double figured barriers in three of his past four have been huge obstacles to overcome but it's worth remembering his last win was seventeen points higher than his current mark.
Selections : 7,1,3,2,8
R2 - 8,2,1,9,4
R3 - 3,6,10,2,7
R4 - 3,10,8,2,4
R5 - 1,9,6,2,7
R6 - 5,11,1,3,4
Race 7
#2 Golden Spectrum arrived in Hong Kong on a rating of eighty two following plenty of travelling throughout his 3yo year. He raced in the UK and Germany performing consistently but also won the Group 2 Al Biddah Mile in Doha. It took time for him to physically settle but he's always raced with a genuine approach and eventually found the winners circle at the end of last season. That win occurred here at Happy Valley in class 3 and over the 1800m, following a credible third prior over a longer journey. Tonight he finds himself in the same predicament an although his rating is fractionally higher I expect him to be accountable.
#10 Fast Pace has racked up a decent score card from ten starts this campaign and now finds himself tackling the higher grade. Moreira who returns from suspension takes over the reigns from Neil Callan and the pair should be given every conceivable chance from a low barrier draw. He's rock hard fit and at the peak of his powers right now so it's likely he'll cope with the class rise and keep on winning.
#6 Helene Wisdom Star is still finding his way but a horse that can brake 22.00 their last 400m, particularly over the Valley mile, has a decent future. The gate looks tricky but it shouldn't be an issue if he continues to be ridden conservatively. You'd expect that to be the case because he's there's been a displacement of the soft palate recently and he's also made a breathing noise. If they're not managed appropriately during the early stages of the race he's risky.
#9 Clement Legend is a rags to riches story after plummeting to an all time low of twenty four rating points three seasons back, before winning seven of his next thirteen. He's now a genuine class three competitor that is tonight entitled to ticks alongside his name. The light weight, nice draw and drop back in distance are the primary reasons however the light hands of jockey Vincent Ho are also crucial.
#11 Xiang Bai Chi is a difficult runner to assess because he's on the cusp of dropping in class but keeps performing well. There are other options for the fifth selection but this fellows effort last start was to good to ignore.
Selections : 2,10,6,9,11
R8 - 4,2,6,7,10
R9 - 6,1,9,3,7
