Today’s Happy Valley racemeeting kicks off at 12h30.
Here are our selections and race summaries.
Race 1: #2 Killer Instinct, #7 Happy Jai Jai, #1 Toycoon, #3 Turin WarriorRace 2: #4 Mister Arm, #3 London Luckystar, #7 Medic Elite, #10 Fortune MasterRace 3: #11 Little Player, #4 Hearty Wish, #10 Handsome Guys, #9 U W BrotherRace 4: #10 Faribault, #5 Charming Steed, #7 Supreme Lucky, #3 Momentum GalaxyRace 5: #2 Copartner Era, #12 My Intelligent, #4 Spicy Grill, #10 Kung Fu TeaRace 6: #12 Sixth Generation, #4 Gold Gold Baby, #7 Allgreektome, #2 Mega BonusRace 7: #10 Viva Hunter, #9 Packing Famous, #3 Rising From Ashes, #5 SetantaRace 8: #2 Namjong Sings, #7 Xponential, #10 California Vanes, #3 Adios
Race 9: #4 Packing Award, #11 Flying Quest, #7 Savaquin, #6 Rise Brethren
Race 1: Australia Handicap
#2 Killer Instinct is racing well and should improve again third-up this season. He’s in-form and closed soundly from the worst part of the track last time out at Happy Valley. #7 Happy Jai Jai caught the eye first-up. He’s versatile and rates strongly for the in-form Benno Yung stable. #1 Toycoon can improve at Happy Valley. The booking of Mickael Barzalona also catches the eye. #3 Turin Warrior is closing in on a first win in Hong Kong. Zac Purton’s retention bodes strongly for this contest.
Race 2: France Handicap
#4 Mister Arm closed off well last start and with added fitness he appears well placed to land another win. He can take another step forward here, especially after an eye-catching effort last time out. #3 London Luckystar is chasing a hat-trick of wins. He stays in Class 5 again which will give him every opportunity. Hard to knock. #7 Medic Elite is so consistent without winning. He gets his chance once more. #10 Fortune Master could roll forward from gate one. Either way, he’ll get a soft, ground-saving run under Jamie Kah.
Race 3: Japan Handicap
#11 Little Player is improving and nears a first win in Hong Kong. He gets his chance here, especially with the in-form Matthew Chadwick sticking aboard. #4 Hearty Wish is consistent and has come within a length of winning twice this season. He’s in solid form and the services of Jamie Kah will not disappoint. #10 Handsome Guys is racing consistently this term and makes a notable pairing with Ryan Moore. He’s a big player if he can offset the wide draw. #9 U W Brother is next best. He has consistency on his side.
Race 4: LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship Handicap – 1st Leg
#10 Faribault closed well first-up and natural improvement is expected. This is a good chance for Matthew Chadwick to collect some valuable points in the opening leg on a consistent type. #5 Charming Steed draws favourably and knows what he’s doing at Happy Valley. He will get his opportunity. #7 Supreme Lucky finished fifth first-up. Take him on an each way basis, especially having drawn gate one with Zac Purton’s services. #3 Momentum Galaxy is next best. He can mix his form but does do his best racing at Happy Valley.
Race 5: LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship Handicap – 2nd Leg
#2 Copartner Era is in the right vein of form and he pairs favourably with Zac Purton. He’s the clear standout here, against a strong bunch but one that he appears able to overcome. #12 My Intelligent slots in light and just needs to offset the wide gate. Expect he rolls across for the lead and tries to pinch this one. #4 Spicy Grill is doing well, as is his trainer Pierre Ng who collected a double on Sunday afternoon. #10 Kung Fu Tea turned his form around to finish second last time out. He gets his chance once more.
Race 6: New Zealand Handicap
#12 Sixth Generation slots in light and can improve following his first-up effort for second. The wide gate isn’t ideal, however, Zac Purton will know how to overcome this hindrance and ensure his chance. #4 Gold Gold Baby has a stack of class and is a two-time winner from the last three starts. He can take another step forward. #7 Allgreektome was seventh first-up in Hong Kong. He appears better than that and might be worth taking a chance on with that run under his belt. #2 Mega Bonus is next best. He’s after back-to-back wins.
Race 7: LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship Handicap – 3rd Leg
#10 Viva Hunter is consistent and is a two-time course and distance winner. He’s much better suited racing in this grade and Ryan Moore’s pairing will ensure him every opportunity. #9 Packing Famous is a two-time winner at Happy Valley. Zac Purton knows the horse well which will hold him in very good stead. #3 Rising From Ashes is nearing career-best form. He draws well but should get back regardless. He’ll be coming home hard. Question marks around #5 Setanta over this trip, however, still he has a touch of class.
Race 8: LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship Handicap – 4th Leg
#2 Namjong Sings turned his form around to finish second last start. He rates strongly here as a consistent prospect and relatively straightforward ride for Mickael Barzalona. #7 Xponential narrowly missed by a nose last start. He looks like a solid chance for Zac Purton who has picked up a very solid mount here. Expect he jumps to settle on terms and he’ll have every chance settled in the front four. #10 California Vanes has an inside draw. He’s versatile and is already a winner this campaign. #3 Adios is class. He’ll be thereabouts.
Race 9: United Kingdom Handicap
#4 Packing Award is a seriously talented horse who is capable of taking another step forward here. He won well last start and the rise in distance looks to be of no concern, especially as he regularly does his best work late. #11 Flying Quest hit form last start and he pairs favourably with Jamie Kah. The inside gate will suit. #7 Savaquin is consistent and he will get his chance again. He doesn’t know how to run a poor race, however he will need every favour to win. #6 Rise Brethren is in career-best form. He’s well placed to contend again.
Remember to get your selections in for the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge and you could win a massive bonus of R370 000 if you select all the winners on the card. R5000 will be shared if you place in the TOP 20 of the leaderboard. Entries close 5 minutes before the start of the first race so be sure to get your selections in now.
