International Racing: Happy Valley – Wednesday 20th November 2019

Racing operators will be hoping for an uninterrupted meeting this Wednesday 20th November 2019, after last weeks Wednesday fixture was abandoned due to the unrest currently being witnessed around the Happy Valley course. 

An intriguing card of 9 races awaits punters if they do go ahead, with the best bet coming in the 4th event, in the form of STARLIT NIGHT. He has been knocking on the door for a while now and lands a much-improved draw. With Purton up, he shouldn’t lose. BREEDERS STAR lines up in the 6th race on the card and he has shown up well in both of his comeback runs this term. If overcoming the draw, the in-form Teetan could land some decent value for punters and he is worth following.  See more here.

Best Bet: STARLIT NIGHT (Race 4)
Value Bet: BREEDERS STAR (Race 6)

Race 1 – 12:45 – Class 5 – 1650m
Selections: 5 – 8 – 2 – 7 – 4 
BUNDLE OF ENERGY is still a maiden after 19 attempts, but he drops into this class for the first time in his career and he lands a plum draw for good measure. He has continued to drop in the ratings for some time now and he has fair record over this trip. Purton takes the mount again, having ridden him on two prior occasions and he looks set to land the opener. GOLDEN CANON will be looking to take advantage of that much-improved draw, having found traffic last time at a crucial stage and he will be looking to stay out of trouble from gate 1 here. He has his peak run after a rest and the signs are there that his 4th career win is just around the corner. He has a useful course and distance record and deserves plenty of respect. EVERYONE’S ELITE showed the expected improvement when dropping into this league for the first time in his last start when returning for his first start this season. With this just being his 7th start, he has plenty of scope for more progression and he should relish the extra 250m this time. He too looks a major threat and deserves inclusion. SAVANNAH WIND has an impressive record in this class and he showed signs of that in his last start when just tiring over the extra. He drops back in trip for his peak run this term, having had a further 2-points shaved off his rating since his last outing. If overcoming that tricky draw, he should box on well to go into frame.

Race 2 – 13:15 – Class 4 – 1200m
Selections: 7 – 11 – 2 – 3 – 10 
METHANE gave a good account of himself in his debut attempt at long odds when finishing in 3rd place over this course and distance. He lands a tricky draw this time, but he displayed a useful finish in that debut so he won’t be required to go too handy and that should make it a little easier. Lyle Hewitson retains the mount and he has a great opportunity to notch up his first win in Hong Kong, in his 81st ride. He certainly hasn’t found things easy on the island, but he has picked up a nice ride here and he looks a winner. JUNZI as knocking on the door over this course and distance towards the end of last time term and he has his first run back this term, after a 4-month absence. He has been a useful performer first up, with two wins from 6 comeback runs. From a useful draw, Leung retains and he looks set for a big performance. COOLCELEB had a rather tough outing last time out, when jumping from gate 12 and never really going into any sort of contention. He is back on the Turf this time and he lands another tough draw, but he has some useful form over this trip. With the 3-pound claimer up, he looks set for a big run with this being his 2nd run back. HARMONY N HOME is a son of Slade Power having his first start here and he gets the services of Zac Purton for his career debut. An interesting jockey booking indeed and it will be worth following the betting, to get a gauge on his chances.

Race 3 – 13:45 – Class 4 – 1200m
Selections: 1 – 8 – 2 – 3 – 10 
PRECIOUS SWEETIE did well to rally late last time out when overcoming a tricky barrier-9. That was just his second run back and his already decent record over this course and distance looks set to improve here. He will be cherry ripe for this run and from an improved barrier, he’ll be just off the early lead and his followers will expect him to just about win this. EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE showed good improvement in his comeback run last time when having the blinkers refitted. He has a solid record in this class and over this course and distance, and with his continued drop in the ratings, he rates a major contender here. Barrier 9 shouldn’t present too much trouble for him, as he does have the gate speed to overcome the draw. If the top selection doesn’t turn up, he should be right there to pick up the pieces. ORIENTAL ELITE was in solid form in this class towards the backend of last season. He returns from a 4-month absence for his first run back this term and Callan does duty aboard the son of Star Witness. He finds a useful draw and if landing near the front early on, he looks a big threat to the top selection. There is obviously a fitness question mark against his name and he may just need this. AMAZING STAR has won and placed third in his two prior starts in this class and that is exactly where he will start off with this campaign. He has been absent from the course for over 7-months now, however, he doesn’t seem to take much work to get going again and he should be right there, with Purton up.

Race 4 – 14:20 – Class 4 – 1650m
Selections: 3 – 11 – 5 – 9 – 4
STARLIT NIGHT has gone close in his last two starts when being force to take the initiative and lead early on. The wide draws would’ve had a lot to do with that and he now drops in trip where the 1650m looks an attractive proposition for him, having finally landed a useful draw. He has a good record over this course and distance and he is certainly a consistent performer in this class. With all of the above considered, Purton makes for an attractive booking and rates the one to beat. SPEEDY WALLY has been knocking on the door for another victory since rising to this class, after winning 5 starts back. He has clearly found some solid form over this course and distance in his last three outings and he lands a slightly improved draw after jumping from gate 11 last time. He found traffic in that run and he’ll be hoping for a smoother passage here, with Callan up. With a bit of luck, he’ll be a major contender at the business end. CHARITY WINGS has been slipping in the ratings and he is starting to show the expected improvement, having gone down by a length last time out. That was when finishing right behind the top selection in that run and he finds himself lining up with a very favourable weight turn-around with the latter this time. Grant van Niekerk retains the ride and he must be included. DOR DOR is another contender who finished off last term with some useful form and he has continued where he left off, in both comeback runs. He lands a much-improved draw for his peak run after a rest and Rispoli retains. If building on his latest, which was his first over this course and distance, he’ll be a worthy inclusion.

Race 5 – 14:50 – Class 4 – 1650m
Selections: 1 – 2 – 4 – 3 – 6
CASA DE FORCA gave a solid account of himself last time on the Turf, after three fair runs on the All-Weather. He has dropped in the ratings and his form since arriving in this class has started to show a promising trend. He clearly enjoyed the step up to this course and distance last time out and with the 10-pound claiming Alfred Chan retaining, he looks the one to beat. MAGNETISM finished right behind the top selection last time out. He has shown good improvement since dropping to this class and his record at this level indicates that it won’t take long for him to pick up another win. He has found a tricky draw this time, but from off the pace he will running on late if finding a bit of luck. With this being his third run back, he will be cherry ripe for this and he’ll be right there at the finish. CITY LEGEND has also dropped to a competitive rating and he steps up to this trip for the first time ever. He has shown positive signs in both runs over 1400m, since returning this season and with this being his first run at the course, from a useful draw, he is certainly worth including. FLAME LILLY finished right behind the top selection last time, beating home the second choice by just over a length. Purton jumps back aboard the son of Danehill Dancer, having finished third on him in one previous engagement. He is drawn out wide once again and he will be relying on plenty of luck in running, to find a prominent early position. If doing so, he will be involved in the finish.

Race 6 – 15:20 – Class 3 – 1200m
Selections: 4 – 1 – 10 – 12 – 2
BREEDER’S STAR has continued to slip in the ratings in his last five starts and his form is starting to show evidence of an impending win. He does have a tricky draw to overcome, for his peak run back and that will present a few challenges for Karis Teetan who retains the ride. If overcoming the draw, he’ll be the one to beat. PERFECT GLORY has also been dropping in the ratings and he gave a respectable account of himself last time out, when finishing 6-lengths behind a world-class sprinter. He lands a perfect draw for his return to a level where he has a very useful record and with Purton in the irons, he will go very close. MONKEY JEWELLERY has shown up well in his last two starts, since dropping to this class. Drawn wide on both occasions, he now lands a plum draw and he looks well placed to put in a bid for the winners’ box and he should be right there. HARLDY SWEARS is just getting going in his career and he has already landed the two wins from three starts. He jumps up to this class now and with the weight off his back, he looks well handicapped to go close. He enjoyed the step up to the 6-furlongs at this course last time and he’ll be looking to build on that effort.

Race 7 – 15:50 – Class 2 – 1000m
Selections: 3 – 5 – 10 – 12 – 11
YEE CHEONG BABY has done little wrong so far and the son of Sebring should relish the drop back to the minimum trip, where he won on his Hong Kong debut. He has plenty of early speed to negate the draw and with this being his 3rd run back, he looks a major threat with Purton sticking with him. He should be able to turn the tables on SPEEDY KING this time. TORNADO TWIST is yet to miss the first four laces and he has picked up 4 wins in his 10 career outings along the way. He too, finished behind the latter last time out but lines up the same weight terms as the top selection. He has a good draw once again and his followers can expect to see him flashing home late, although it is unlikely that he will be able to turn the tables on the top one. SUNNY BOY finished behind the second selection in his penultimate run and followed that up with a solid effort last time out on the All-Weather. Both runs were against this class of opposition and he should relish the return to the turf course this time, with Sylvestre de Sousa up from another useful draw. With this being just his 9th career start, he has plenty of scope for further improvement and deserves respect. CUE THE MUSIC has shown up well in both starts in this class, since arriving from South Africa. The form line of his first effort here needs no introduction, with the winner (AETHERO) turning out to be a top-quality sprinter in the making. He finished three lengths behind the top selection in his latest effort, but was reported to have raced with his tongue over the bit and he’ll be fitted with the tongue tie now, as a result. He gets a plum draw and deserves plenty of respect, with this being his peak run after a long interruption due to the complications related to travelling.

Race 8 – 16:20 – Class 3 – 1650m
Selections: 5 – 1 – 7 – 11 – 3
MR ALDAN has shown good improvement as he continues to drop in the ratings. He has had two tricky draws to overcome in his last two starts but has boxed on with good intent on both occasions. He lands a helpful draw this time and Karis Teetan jumps back aboard the son of Jet Spur, for his 6th outing in Hong Kong. He will relish this step up in trip and on his current trajectory, looks a big runner here. RELIABLE TEAM is a two-time winner from four attempts, having his peak run after a short rest. He enjoyed the step up to this course and distance last time out and he will be cherry ripe for this run. He does have gate 11 to overcome, but Purton will be looking to settle him just off the early speed and if finding cover, he will be challenging strongly in the closing stages. UNIVERSAL GO GO has been second best in his last four outings, three of which have come since stepping up to this class. He has a tricky draw to overcome and that may be his only downfall as he loves this course and distance and looks set for a big run. If finding a bit of luck, he’ll be finishing strongly and looking to go one better this time. MONSTER KAKA has dropped significantly in the ratings in his last five starts and he finished just 3.5 lengths behind the second selection last time out, despite overcoming a wide draw. He has been drawn wide in his last three runs in fact, but his chances are certainly boosted from pole position this time and he looks very well set up to make a big impression here.

Race 9 – 16:55 – Class 3 – 1200m
Selections: 4 – 1 – 5 – 2 – 8
HINCHINLOVE had a wide draw to negate last time out when boxing on well for 6,5 length beating behind a subsequent Gr2 winner. He has dropped 12-points in the ratings in his last five starts and he is starting to look very threatening off his current mark of 72. Drawn in gate 2 this time, he has the blinkers removed for his first run back this term. Having finished 3rd in his only other ‘first up’ attempt earlier on, he shouldn’t need the run too badly and looks a nice prospect to follow at a reasonable price. LONE EAGLE is much better over the 6-furlongs, having shown good improvement since stepping up to this trip in his last two starts. He has his third run back this season and lands a much-improved draw after starting off in barrier 10 last time. Purton jumps aboard the son of Zoffany and he looks a major threat to the top selection, on current form. SHINING ACE has maintained his form well since rising gradually in the ratings, but things look much tougher this time from gate 12. Beaten by BABY last time, he will go to the start a full 6-pounds better off with the latter as they line up alongside each other here. He is a three-time winner from just 7 starts over this course and distance and if overcoming the draw, he will be challenging late. SOLOMON’S BAY has been in useful form of late, although he hasn’t quite gone on with things in his last two starts since receiving that penalty for winning three starts back. He gets the services of the 10-pound claiming Alfred Chan this time and from gate 1, he looks a big contender with the weight off his back this time and must be included.