3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Happy Valley races.
RACE – 1 WILTSHIRE HANDICAP, HK $750,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 - Turf – Distance 2200m – Track Good
Time: 2:15.98 Standard Time: 2:17.85 Course/Class Record: 2:16.06 Penzance
Winner: NUREMBERG (IRE 5yo g War Command – Mackenzie's Friend) jumped straight to the front from gate four and found the rail as they entered the straight the first time. Got pestered a little in front by Can't Touch This early doors but then came back underneath Callan as they left the straight to get into a nice rhythm when they entered the back. Stole some reasonable sectionals during the middle stages and cruised into the home turn seemingly hard held. Was asked for a kick at the 300m mark before Hay Run peeled off his back and looked the ultimate winner. Held him off late in what was a brave front-running display. Now has a win and a second from two attempts at the track and distance.
Runner-Up: HAY RUN jumped cleanly from the rails draw and took a sit position one back on the fence behind the leader. Settled well for Leung during the middle sections and looked to travel sweetly before being revved up as they turned. Got one off when they straightened and looked the winner at the 200m mark. Put one final bob in on the wire but the winner was too strong on the line.
Run Of The Race: YOUNG GLORY settled in the back half of the field in a race where the winner and second place came from the top three during the run. Had a wall of horses in front of him as they turned for home but really let down when found some clear air.
Disappointment: FORTUNE PATROL jumped second favourite but could only manage tenth.
Comparison: Strong speed early stages and the leader kept going in new Course/Class record time.
Market Mover: THE JOY OF GIVING $17 to $7
RACE – 2 LANCASHIRE HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4– Rating 60-40 - Turf – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.24 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:08.92 Amazing Star
Winner: H Z TOURBILLON (AUS 3yo g Eurozone – Teralani) jumped evenly from gate one to settle mid-field three back on the fence. Really picked up as they entered the home turn and stole a few positions along the rails before they straightened. Found himself a clear third at the 300m mark and shifted out to the centre of the track to set out after the leaders. Let down with great authority in the final stages and won going away from them in a dominant display. Was well-backed late and didn't let supporters down.
Runner-Up: WINS ALL jumped cleanly from gate two and settled just behind the leaders on the fence. Travelled sweetly for Purton up until the home turn and got into open spaces to head out after the early leader. As soon as he hit the front was given windburn by the winner and had no answers late.
Run Of The Race: Cannot take anything away from the winner H Z TOURBILLON who put them to the sword over the final stages. Looks promising and can go on with it now.
Disappointment: A LA KING jumped second favourite and was three-wide with cover during the run but was under pressure a long way from home and only plodded to the line.
Comparison: All three placegetters held rails positions in the run and they ran well above standard in what may prove to be a good form race.
Market Movers: H Z TOURBILLON $41 to $14 and WINS ALL $2 to $1.50
RACE – 3 LANCASHIRE HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4– Rating 60-40 - Turf – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:10.16 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:08.92 Amazing Star
Winner: LAND POWER (GB 5yo g Siyouni – Vintage Red) jumped cleanly from gate one and hustled up along the fence to position right on the heels of the leader. Had a cosy run on the rails in the middle stages and looked to have plenty in hand as they approached the home turn. Got clear room when they straightened and set out after the leader with 100m to go but Inno Legend looked to have everyone's measure in the final stages. Really knuckled down late and Chan got his head down on the line for a tight victory in a three-way go.
Runner-Up: INNO LEGEND left the gates well and managed to find a perfect position one out one back to settle into a comfortable rhythm. Got stoked up at the top of the stretch and looked the winner at the 100m mark but the winner lifted late to hold out the challenge. Has now finished runner-up three of his past six and a win is not far away.
Run Of The Race: LAND POWER was truck-loaded late in betting and really lifted when asked for the final effort.
Disappointment: Third favourite CHAMPION PRIDE was very slow to leave the gates and never looked likely.
Comparison: Just outside standard with the top three racing in the front few during the run.
Market Mover: LAND POWER $7.50 to $2.70
RACE – 4 LANCASHIRE HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4– Rating 60-40 - Turf – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.81 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:08.92 Amazing Star
Winner: SPONTANEOUS (AUS 5yo g Unencumbered – Dowager Princess) was given a squeeze out of the wide barrier and revved up to cross them easily after going 200m. Stole a breather in the middle stages before being clicked up as they straightened and showed them a clean pair of heels to lead by upwards of four lengths in the home stretch. Was entitled to get tired late but victory was never in doubt as Purton sat up for the photo. Has come back in fine form with two wins and a second from three starts this campaign.
Runner-Up: GOOD SHOT jumped well but was eased back to sit mid-field one off the fence. Travelled nicely on the bridle middle stages before being taken out three-wide before the turn to make his final run at them. Motored to the line late but the bird had flown and had to settle for second.
Run Of The Race: GOOD SHOT had to get back to find cover from gate seven but was very strong late and is nearing a win.
Disappointment: Second favourite COURAGEOUS DRAGON jumped well but couldn't hold out Spontaneous from crossing. Was under pressure as soon as they turned and finished a distant ninth.
Comparison: Slightly quicker than standard but a great front-running ride from Purton stole the show.
Market Movers: E HONEY $31 to $16 and MOONLUCK $10 to $6.4
RACE – 5 RENFREW HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:39.52 Standard Time: 1:40.10 Course/Class Record: 1:38.83 Flying Elite
Winner: EVER LAUGH jumped on terms but was eased to sit one off the fence in the back third of the field as they made the first turn. Travelled quietly to sit second last in the middle stages before Badel showed plenty of initiative to take off around them when they slowed up front. Bumped with the leader as they turned for home and was headed by Bright Kid with 200m to go. Lifted late under heavy riding to post a strong win in a stirring go.
Runner-Up: CALIFORNIA LEVEE stoked up out of the gates to eventually find itself on the fence behind the leader. Had a soft run until approaching the turn and opted to spear back to the rails for a final run at the mid-race movers in the straight. Picked up late along the fence but the winner was up for the challenge and found something late.
Run Of The Race: We'll rename this Ride Of The Race as Badel made a mid-race decision on EVER LAUGH that proved to be the winning one. Purton tried to follow his lead on BRIGHT KID but the initial move was the decisive factor.
Disappointment: RED BRICK FIGHTER was well-supported late but was never a hope once they took off mid-race.
Comparison: Slightly quicker than standard after slow early sectionals.
Market Mover: EVER LAUGH $31 to $14
RACE – 6 SELKIRK HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf – Distance 1800m – Track Good
Time: 1:48.76 Standard Time: 1:49.60 Course/Class Record: 1:48.10 Acclaimed Light
Winner: BUNDLE OF DELIGHT (NZ 5yo g Tavistock – Princess Of Wales) jumped cleanly from gate two and was given time to find his feet before settling mid-field as they took the first turn. Travelled sweetly in the middle stages and managed to get on the back of Good Days who took off three-wide from last and was able to get a drag into the race. Swung out to the middle of the track as they turned for home and really let down in the latter stages for Badel who made it back-to-back 10/10 rides.
Runner-Up: PERFECT TO PLAY bounced out of the gates to cross easily but ultimately ended up three back the fence as they settled. Had a soft run and stole some positions along the rails to get out with 200m to go. Let down late but the momentum was with the winner.
Run Of The Race: Another Ride Of The Race to Badel on BUNDLE OF DELIGHT who recognised the mid-race move from Good Days and got a free ride into it with cover.
Disappointment: BRAVE KING jumped at $5 but failed to beat a runner home.
Comparison: Almost a second quicker than standard as they got going well before the home turn.
Market Mover: SHADOW BREAKER $31 to $11
RACE – 7 DURHAM HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 56.24 Standard Time: 56:85 Course/Class Record: 56.11 Stronger
Winner: HARMONY AND RICH (AUS 4yo g I Am Invincible – Express Power) was hustled out of the barriers from gate 11 and was made to do some early work before eventually crossing to the rails. Stole a breather in the middle section and then balanced up as they straightened to let down for a final effort in the stretch. Gave plenty when asked with 200m to go and showed a great turn of foot to be eased up on the line. He now has a win and three placings from seven attempts at the track and trip.
Runner-Up: LOVING A BOOM was again a victim of a poor barrier having to be jagged back early to try and find a position with cover. Had a wall of horses in front of him when they straightened and took the gaps late to savage the line to only finish a length off the winner. Has not finished out of the top five at his past eight starts but hasn't saluted. Surely deserves a win soon.
Run Of The Race: LOVING A BOOM. Definitely not the first time and probably won't be the last. A massive run under the big weight but just found one better again on the night.
Disappointment: NORDIC WELLSTAR was second favourite but couldn't find much in the straight to fade into eighth.
Comparison: Just outside Course/Class record time which even more accentuates the run of Loving A Boom who ran through the line.
Market Mover: HARMONY AND RICH was well found at $41 to $11
RACE – 8 HEREFORD HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3– Rating 80-60 - Turf – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:39.31 Standard Time: 1:39.80 Course/Class Record: 1:38.61 Solar Wai Wai
Winner: RIGHT HONOURABLE (IRE 7yo g Famous Name – Agnetha) was eased back early to settle last on the rail. Slowly picked up momentum with 600m to go and got going four and five wide as they turned for home from the back of the field. Was the widest runner when they straightened and unleashed a withering burst over the final stages to finish over the top of them. That makes it two wins in a row over this track and trip and a win that defied the racing pattern of the day.
Runner-Up: SMOOTHIES settled in the back half of the field and travelled comfortably until the home turn. Tried to get going underneath the eventual winner when they both let down in the straight but was just out sprinted over the final stages. Certainly not disgraced.
Run Of The Race: RIGHT HONOURABLE was a long way off them early but really hit the wire late. Jumped at $45 but defied the market and the track bias.
Disappointment: STAR PERFORMANCE was backed heavily late but could only manage eighth.
Comparison: Quicker than standard as the leaders went at a good clip.
Market Mover: STAR PERFORMANCE $31 to $9.3
RACE – 9 CHESTER HANDICAP, HK $2,200,000
Class 2– Rating 100-80 – All Weather – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.91 Standard Time: 1:09.40 Course/Class Record: 1:08.52 Victory
Winner: KURPANNY (FRA 4yo g Mayson – One River) jumped well to settle one back on the fence and got into a nice rhythm for Moreira. Tracked the speed as they approached the turn and took the split on the rails when they straightened. Let down strongly under heavy riding when asked and was driven to the line to make it 99 wins for the season for Joao. The Mayson gelding loves this track with three wins and two placings from just six starts.
Runner-Up: HANDSOME BO BO probably jumped a bit too well from out wide and had to ease to try and find a position. Still got posted three-wide no cover in the middle stages whilst still fighting the rider. Eventually found cover 600m from home before being shifted out three-wide soon after at the turn for a final effort. Looked the winner at 200m from home but the leader kicked and had to settle for second. Will pay to follow.
Run Of The Race: Not much went right for HANDSOME BO BO but he still had the audacity to find the line and should find a suitable race soon. Special mention to HONG KONG BET who jumped at $41 but ran home well to finish a closing sixth.
Disappointment: IGNITING was heavily supported in betting but faded late.
Comparison: Quicker than standard which furthers the quality of Handsome Bo Bo's effort.
Market Mover: KURPANNY $4.50 to $2.90
