3 minute read

Brett Davis provides exclusive preview of Happy Valley races.

R1 - 3,1,9,6,5

R2 - 2,4,6,10,12

Race 3

#3 Good Shot has been a slow maturing galloper and a touch stiff along the way to have not won more races. Chad Schofield has worked closely with him most of the season and the fact he's a 6yo having start eleven highlights the issues had along the way. He chased home "Spontaneous" recently and meets him better at the weights. He was also eased out of the gates losing significant ground at the start of that event. Another prime opportunity awaits tonight with a faultless performance needed, particularly from the stalls. Should that come to fruition his best chance to notch up another win is right at his doorstep.
#1 Spontaneous has hit form over the last six weeks winning two of his last three and is a serious contender once again. He's a big unit with fabulous gate speed and strong overall strength but he must handle top weight, a wide draw and multiple speed runners drawn underneath. There's no doubt he'll get to class 3 soon enough and with a light weight in that grade he'll be very difficult to beat.
#8 Moonluck has kept improving from run to run and should receive all favours from the low barrier draw. Vincent Ho has been with him from day one and his continued support, when other options are present, is a positive sign. More time and distance is required before he finds his best but a strong tempo through the first half can assist his closing speed.
#11 Sunny And Gold is lightly raced but already he's shown glimpses of ability. With Moreira atop he'll be in the market following a winning barrier trial over this course and distance at the end of March. There's questions still unanswered surrounding his overall level of talent but we'll learn more tonight as he's likely to receive plenty of favours.
#10 Viva Chef has found his level quite quickly with start twelve for the season now approaching. The initial speed can help him to grind away over the final 400m as he's generally a one paced conveyance. It's looking like 1400m plus is what he's wanting going forward and gelding surgery probably wouldn't go a stray.

Selections : 3,1,8,11,10

R4 - 11,7,1,4,12

R5 - 5,4,9,2,1

R6 - 1,4,3,10,6

Race 7

#7 High Rise Soldier is still yet to win from eighteen starts but he'll represent good each way value in this open contest. Clear excuses under the guidance of Karis Teetan are valid following his last start failure as prior he was certainly ready to win. The speed map has him gaining the run of the race and with Vincent Ho back aboard he's a great each way chance.
#3 Joyful Union has taken many months to regain full race fitness following a stress fracture to his left humerus. Twelve months ago he won off a rating of eighty points and also recorded some very fast times in a number of minor defeats. He's a sit and dash style galloper with a decent turn of foot so with conditions looking just perfect he's a red hot chance.
#10 Wood On Fire has kept progressing throughout the season and with three wins under his belt must be considered. It's only his second opportunity in class 3 and with a style suited to the races likely profile he's a viable each way option.How much higher he can go remains unanswered but I'm confident he's still on the up at this time.
#2 Young Legend recently returned to class 3 which is where all his winning has previously been done. Purton has an impeccable record aboard the HKJC Racing Club Syndicate runner with his effort two back looking good, until the saddle shifted during the run. Barrier one allows him to race handy with out burning juice and from there he can pounce once they've turned for home.
#8 Shouson is drawn well and comes in to calculations with his recent ultra consistent form. He is now nearing his highest figure remember at this time last year he began losing form.
It's on the cards he's now downward spiralling but he's hard to dismiss from the draw.

Selections : 7,3,10,2,8

R8 - 8,9,7,11,4

R9 - 7,10,9,2,4