3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Happy Valley races.
Race 1 Middle Gap Handicap, HK $750,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.64 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:08.92 Amazing Star
Winner: SKY TREASURE (NZ 7yo g Stravinsky – Inzabeel) wasn't the fastest away but Karis Teetan wanted to make the most of barrier three, even using the whip to ensure the gelding took up a front-running position. He was able to take the lead and cross to the rail as the rounded the first turn and would lead throughout the event, being too strong late and kicking away to win by two lengths.
Runner-Up: FALCON TURBO was caught wide and without cover throughout the event after jumping from barrier nine. That didn't stop him from sprinting well down the outside, sticking on to finish in second position.
Run Of The Race: ISLAND SHINE was an eye-catching run down the outside, running into third position after being 4.5 lengths off the leader at the 400m mark.
Disappointment: REGENT GLORY pushed on to sit outside of the leader with 700m to run and was under pressure with 500m remaining. He tired late in the race and drifted out to finish four lengths away in fifth.
Comparison: Inside the standard time in a well-run race.
Market Mover: SKY TREASURE $7.50 into $3.60.
Race 2 – Stubbs Handicap, HK $750,000
Class 5 – Turf – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.91 Standard Time: 1:10.35 Course/Class Record: 1:09.62 Great Harvest
Winner: SPICY GRILL (AUS 4yo g Pierro – Amaliehaven) wasn't pushed along early in the race after jumping from barrier 10, with Vincent Ho allowing the gelding to sit at the tail of the field. Ho began making his move with 500m left to travel, slicing his way through the pack and forcing his way out of traffic to storm home over the final 100m and win be a neck on the line.
Runner-Up: LUCKY MARYKNOLL jumped well and Ruan Maia was able to settle in a lovely position three pairs back from the lead and one off the fence. He sprinted well when straightening and had the lead with 100m left to run but was just beaten in the shadows of the post.
Run Of The Race: SPICY GRILL came from 6.25 lengths back on the turn to winning the race by a neck with an enormous run down the straight.
Disappointment: WONDER BRAHMA was well backed and looked as though he was in a great spot to mount a challenge in the straight. He was bumped with around 150m left to go, which cost him some momentum, but he failed to pick back up and hit the line strongly after.
Comparison: Inside the standard time where the swoopers took advantage of the good pace in the race.
Market Mover: WONDER BRAHMA $16 into $5.50.
Race 3 – Magazine Gap Handicap, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 57.10 Standard Time: 57.15 Course/Class Record: 56.39 Gentle Breeze
Winner: WILD WEST WING (AUS 4yo g Exceed And Excel – Thump) was able to find a lovely position in transit, sitting just off the pace which was fast early. He pulled wide on the turn and let down well in the straight. He wanted to lay in on his opposition slightly when placed under pressure, but he dug deep when it mattered and was able to get his nose in front to win by a neck, giving Karis Teetan an early double.
Runner-Up: SUPER COMMANDER had the back of the leader in running and used that to his advantage in the straight. He and Wild West Wing were neck and neck from the 250m point, but the fast pace may have just got to him late, just going down by a neck right on the finish line.
Run Of The Race: FARIBAULT was caught wide from the outside gate and was shifted behind runners in the early stages of the race. He was over seven lengths off the lead as they turned for home and ran on strongly to finish in third spot, only beaten by 0.75 lengths.
Disappointment: WHISKY NEAT was sent out as the $3.40 favourite and was sitting on the pace after being pushed along early by Joao Moreira. He was placed under pressure a long way from home and subsequently drifted right out of the race upon straightening, finishing 11th and beaten by seven lengths.
Comparison: Just inside the standard time with a very fast mid race sectional.
Market Mover: SUPER COMMANDER $7.50 into $5.80.
Race 4 – Bowen Handicap, HK $2,200,000
Class 2 – Turf - Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:38.07 Standard Time: 1:39.60 Course/Class Record: 1:37.97 Tsar
Winner: GREEN LUCK (AUS 6yo g Street Cry – Damah lady) was able to use the inside barrier to his advantage, cruising along the rail to sit three pairs back from the lead. His competitors started to make moves with 400m left to run but Joao Moreira sat still on the gelding, sticking to the inside part of the track as his competitors fanned out wide. He was able to pick his way through the gaps and take the lead with 100m left to run, winning by a neck on the finish line.
Runner-Up: HIGHLAND FORTUNE was another who used the inside draw to their advantage, being able to sit on the leaders back and along the running rail. He stuck to the inside upon straightening and made his run along the rail. He hit the rail momentarily as a horse shifted in, but he continued to run on brilliantly to finish a narrow second.
Run Of The Race: It was a fantastic ride by Joao Moreira to get GREEN LUCK first past the post. It was a smart decision to stick to the inside of the track and weaving his way through the traffic to get the win.
Disappointment: THE ROCK loomed into the race like he was going to win but seemed to peak on his run early in the straight. Chad Schofield lost his whip with about 175m left to go, but he was one paced to the line and was beaten by 4.5 lengths, finishing in sixth.
Comparison: Only 0.1 seconds outside the course/class record.
Market Mover: HIGHLAND FORTUNE was $8 in early markets and started as the $3.70 favourite.
Race 5 – Middle Gap Handicap, HK $750,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.92 Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:08.92 Amazing Star
Winner: NOBLE DESIRE (IRE 5yo g Footstepsinthesand – Mimisel) jumped well from barrier four and was able to cross to the lead with relative ease. He settled well for Jerry Chau and was left alone in the lead. He kicked well at the top of the straight and had enough in the tank to keep his competitors at bay, winning by half a length.
Runner-Up: BEAUTY CHEERS wasn't asked to do much from barrier one and was able to sit on the leaders back. He had plenty of galloping room along the inside rail to challenge for the win, but the winner was just too good.
Run Of The Race: TELECOM ROCKET was one of the only horses to make ground from the rear of the field. He hit the line strongly as he ran into third position.
Disappointment: FLAMING PASSION was just positioned too far back in running and was unsuited by the steady tempo set by the leader.
Comparison: Around the standard time in an event dominated by the leader, but slower than the other class 4, 1200m event earlier in the card.
Market Mover: NOBLE DESIRE $10 into $4.20.
Race 6 – Robinson Handicap, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:39.65 Standard Time: 1:40.10 Course/Class Record: 1:38.83 Flying Elite
Winner: FA FA (NZ 3yo g He's Remarkable Calypso Miss) wasn't the fastest away but used the inside draw to his advantage, running along the rail to improve his position early in the race to sit three pairs off the lead. He settled well mid race as the leaders slowed the pace with 800m left to run. He was caught behind a wall of runners upon straightening, but a gap appeared and he was able to shoot through, sprinting well to chase down the leading horse and run away with a 1.75 length victory.
Runner-Up: ERNEST FEELING jumped awkwardly from barrier 11 and was shifted behind runners in the early part of the race. He found himself 8.75 lengths off the leader with 1200m left to run, but Karis Teetan started a run on the gelding as the pace started to slow. He was the widest runner upon straightening and stuck on well despite the sustained run, getting his nose down to finish second in a tight photo finish.
Run Of The Race: ERNEST FEELING was strong late despite his long and wide run, and only finished 1.75 lengths off the leader after being 10 lengths away early on in the race.
Disappointment: MANNA FROM HEAVEN had the run of the race, sitting on the leaders back and along the rail after starting as a $7.40 chance. He was only fair down the straight and finished in seventh position, 4.75 lengths off the winner.
Comparison: Inside the standard time despite the slow 800m to 400m sectional.
Market Mover: ERNEST FEELING was well backed just before start time.
Race 7 – Caine Handicap, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Turf – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.19 Standard Time: 1:09.65 Course/Class Record: 1:06.68 Speed Vision
Winner: JOLLY GOOD HEART (AUS 5yo g Danerich – Destiny Lady) was away fast from barrier two and was able to find the lead comfortably shortly after the start. He was over racing a touch during the early stages of the race and was finally able to relax with 700m left to travel. He was able to pinch a gap on the rest of the field on the turn and Alexis Badel still had a strong hold of him as they turned for home. He kicked well at the top of the straight and was just too good for his rivals, winning by 1.5 lengths.
Runner-Up: HONG KONG BET jumped with the pack and was given a push by Zac Purton which worked in his favour, as he was able to settle just behind the leading bunch along the rail. Purton started placing the gelding under pressure with 500m left to run and he responded well, sliding along the rail to run into second position as they straightened, but the leader was too far gone.
Run Of The Race: It was a dominant win by JOLLY GOOD HEART after over racing mid race, he was able to grab a slight breather as they entered the turn. He then kicked clear and ran on strongly in a fantastic win.
Disappointment: STANLEY PARK was sent out at $8.10 and was pushed forward by Jerry Chau despite the wide barrier. He began to tire at the 500m point though, and fell back to finish in 10th position, being beaten six lengths.
Comparison: Inside the standard time.
Market Mover: STANLEY PARK was $26 when markets first opened and started at $8.10.
Race 8 – Kennedy Handicap, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Turf – Distance 1650m – Track Good
Time: 1:39.05 Standard Time: 1:39.80 Course/Class Record: 1:38.55 Telecom Fighters
Winner: TELECOM FIGHTERS (AUS 4yo g The Brothers War – Moorings Capital) jumped away well from barrier five and was able to cross to the lead relatively easily as they entered the first turn. Joao Moreira quickened the pace of the race with 800m to travel to make sure he was able to keep the lead. He was under the whip as they turned for home, but he kicked well at the top of the straight and ran on to win by a length.
Runner-Up: EXCEPTIONAL NICE jumped nicely from the inside draw and was able to get a gun run in behind the leading pair and along the running rail. He settled well under Alexis Badel and was able to stay close to the leaders throughout the race. He wobbled around the turn and took a while to get going once he straightened up, but he was able to muster speed again and finish in second position in a close photo finish.
Run Of The Race: CELESTIAL POWER was one of the only horses to make ground from the rear of the field. He began moving his way through the field from the 500m point and stuck to the rail as they straightened. He stuck on well in the straight and was only narrowly beaten when finishing third.
Disappointment: HELENE WISDOM STAR was just caught too far back in running to challenge for the win. Karis Teetan was forced to make a long and wide run around the outside of the field, but was no chance of winning, finishing 4.75 lengths away from the winner in sixth position.
Comparison: Inside the standard time.
Market Mover: TELECOM FIGHTERS $5 into $2.60.
Race 9 – Caine Handicap, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Turf – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.25 Standard Time: 1:09.65 Course/Class Record: 1:06.68 Speed Vision
Winner: CLASSIC POSH (AUS 5yo g Testa Rossa – Makaha) was away well from barrier two and was able to find a position behind the leaders relatively easily. He travelled nicely in the run and Harry Bentley came away from the rail as the turned for home. He kicked well at the top of the straight and rounded up the leaders with 100m left to run, drawing away to win by a length and a quarter.
Runner-Up: DECISIVE TWELVE jumped cleanly from gate three and mustered quickly to take up the lead as they made the first turn. He travelled well in the run and Alexis Badel allowed his mount to take the outright lead with 700m remaining in the event. He sprinted well as they turned into the straight and was still leading with 150m to travel, but the winner was simply too good. He stuck on well to finish in second position.
Run Of The Race: The sprint produced by CLASSIC POSH was outstanding and he ran away with a commanding victory in the last event of the night.
Disappointment: AMAZING NEWS was sent out as a $6 elect and settled toward the rear of the field. He didn't respond to the urgings of Vincent Ho and went to the line just fairly, being beaten 6.5 lengths when finishing in 10th position.
Comparison: Inside the standard time and only slightly slower than the previous Class 3, 1200m race earlier on the card.
Market Mover: DECISIVE TWELVE $9 into $4.10.
