3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Happy Valley races.
Race 1
#1 Dionysus Collin has poor form around his name at the moment but he's going better than it suggests. He's yet to really fire a shot for the new yard of Jimmy Ting, with excuses primarily to blame, but that can change tonight. It's an open contest the first and a script can be written for a number of horses to win. In 37 starts he's never been this low in the ratings and yes his last 3 runs have been woeful. However, his first up run this season was good and at a level high enough to win.
#8 Success Allstars is on debut for a new stable, which is a surprising as he was going particularly well before the transfer. Nevertheless, he has the right stats for the particulars of this contest and must be highly considered. It's likely he'll settle 3 back the fence from a good draw which could make things tricky but he closes well.
#3 Wonder Win had almost a year off due to a tendon injury but returned with a strong effort first up when finishing 2nd. He possesses tactical speed and could well strike the lead if connections decide to push. His form prior to injury was honest at this level, however, the 2nd up syndrome off such a long break could potentially raise its ugly head.
#6 Amazing Boy has gone close his past 3 starts and is worthy of consideration once again. Purton takes over from Moriera so you'll once more be required to take shorts in betting but he's difficult to overlook. Where he ends up from gate 7 is a mystery but it's not beyond the realms of possibility that he's caught wide.
#11 Diamond Star is the lowest rated runner in the event but wouldn't be the first to win under these circumstances. He's drawn well to secure a decent run in transit and has a jockey aboard that's been with him consistently. Admittedly he's not much chop, but in good company, and luckless at his most recent start.
Selections : 1,8,3,6,11
Race 2
#10 Viva Popcorn appears one of the best bets on the program despite the fact he's just a one time winner. He's been a slow developing International Sales Graduate who's now progressing nicely with closing speed his best attribute. The wide barrier forced him back an extra spot last outing and ultimately cost him another win. Tonight from an ideal barrier, in gate 5, he can position closer and therefore settle handier. All being equal the win should unravel its self down the stretch and it wouldn't surprise if he won it well.
#1 Seaweed Fortune appears capable of winning at the bottom of class 3, once he gets there, and that won't be faraway. He races best when settling back and absorbing a tempo. The weight is likely to reduce his closing speed but he's at the top of his game and shouldn't be overly underestimated.
#2 Packing Famous is still finding his place amongst the Hong Kong racing ranks and could find a position tonight on the speed. It's his 2nd run down in the lower grade of class 4 and improvement looks imminent following a better effort in a recent Conghua trial. He was a 5 length winner at his only start in Australia so I'd expect something shortly.
#8 Kungfumasterpanda has produced a number of good performances recently and I anticipate similar tonight. He'll need a little more luck from the wider barrier but his consistency cannot be questioned. Injuries played a part in previous patchy form but that seems clearly in the past.
#7 King Dragon has become an unreliable and costly conveyance but can potentially add value to exotics. He'll be a price, deservedly so, and from the draw should secure a nice run with cover midfield. He's very precious and throws in the towel at the sniff of a bump but untouched could produce a result.
Selections : 10,1,2,8,7
R3 - 4,3,1,8,7
R4 - 5,1,4,2,10
R5 - 2,11,6,8,1
R6 - 6,2,4,5,8
R7 - 4,1,11,2,5
R8 - 11,1,6,10,7
R9 - 1,7,2,9,11
