Happy Valley: Best Bets and Tips – 13 January

Racing this Wednesday sees a competitive nine-race programme at Happy Valley Racecourse with a host of top quality racing on offer, the top bet and value bet, should be followed closely. 

VALUE BET – NOBLE STEED

BEST BET – BABY STORM

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RACE 1

DYNAMIC EAGLE
dictated terms well to win his last start under Badel. He steps up in class but
from his inside barrier position he should be up to the task at hand. EXALTATION ran on from far back last
time to find a form return. He raced without cover on that occasion which makes
the run more encouraging. OWNER’S STAR
finished well up the rail last time. He has run two fair races with Hamelin in
the saddle and should finish in the money once again.

RACE 2

UNIVERSAL GO GO
made up good ground on this course last time. It must be noted that he went
close under Poon in October and it is encouraging to see the pair re-united. STAR SUPERIOR is much better than his
moderate last start. He is likely to settle just off the pace and if putting
his best foot forward, he can trouble the top selection. DAILY BEAUTY has placed in his last two outings. Interestingly, his
last career win came under Moreira and should be right there when they reach
the finishing post. 

RACE 3

BABY STORM brings
some decent form having placed in his last three outings. He doesn’t take on
the strongest of fields and with Moreira retaining the ride he should be very
difficult to peg back in the closing stages. VIRTUS STAR followed up his hat-trick with a decent fourth-place
finish. He can count himself lucky as he is still stuck in Class 5 and should
give another good account of himself. GO
BALLISTIC is much better than his last start suggests. He has legitimate
excuses that day as he cast a shoe in the running and got his nose whipped by
another rider at the 150m mark. With better luck in running he should be right
there at the business end of affairs.

RACE 4

HAPPY WIN WIN finished
strongly last time out over this c&d. He will have a tough time against ZHAN JIANG ROCKS on official ratings
but is the narrow first selection in a race where the two look like they could
fight out then finish. GALLANT CROWN
won well last time over this c&d despite being cramped for room at the 400m
mark. He jumps from an outside barrier position but does have the early gate
speed to get across without using up too much energy. 

RACE 5

SIMPLY FLUKE ran
on from far back last time under this apprentice. He may be suited to the drop
back to the minimum trip and if Chau can creep a little closer to the action
this time around, then he may well end up the winner’s box. UW BROTHER brings consistent form into
this race. He performs well for Moreira and is a decent pacesetter on his day.
He was narrowly beaten last time and he will be looking to make amends. TRAVEL DATUK has placed in his last
three outings. He finished runner-up the last time Badel was aboard and it is
encouraging to see the pair re-united once again.

RACE 6

WHISKEY NEAT has
been costly to follow but he was only narrowly beaten last time and deserves
another chance. He moved up like a winner on that occasion and was caught in
the shadow of the post. His form under Moreira is fairly good and if putting
his best foot forward he should get it right today. MIGHTY POWER had legitimate excuses last time out. He performs well
with Schofield in the irons and should find a swift return to form. NOBLE BIRTH finished strongly last time
over this c&d and it is encouraging that Purton has kept faith in the ride.

RACE 7

HARMONY N BLESSED
is unbeaten from two starts over this distance. He reunites with Shinn who won
aboard him on debut. The manner in which he won his last starts suggests there
is plenty more to come from this individual and he should take a power of
beating. TRIPLE TRIPLE has placed in
his last three starts and looks a certain threat on form. He was only passed in
the latter stages in his last start and will be looking to find a bit extra
today. WIND N GRASS is a sort that likes
to come from off the pace. He has placed-third in his last two outings and
should be doing his best work late once again.

RACE 8

NOBLE STEED is
drawn wide but he finished well last time on this course. He has the early gate
speed to get across without using up too much energy and definitely represents
decent each-way value for Hong Kong racing pundits. SMILING CITY moved up like a winner last time but was caught in the
latter stages. He too, is drawn wide but will get all the necessary assistance
with Moreira in the saddle. INCANTO
PREPARED steps up in class after reeling off back-to-back wins. He takes on
much stronger but may be up for it and can run into the money.

RACE 9

THE RUNNER
finished positively in his last start over this c&d. He looks fairly
handicapped and with Teetan retaining the ride, he should take a power of
beating in the lucky last. SCORES OF FUN
is much better than his moderate last start suggests. He took a bump on that
occasion which is a legitimate excuse and if recapturing his prior form then he
can cause the upset. HAPPY ALUMNI
was a difficult ride last time and still managed to finish in the money. If
settling in the race then he should give a better account of himself.