International Racing: Happy Valley (Turf) – Wednesday 5 February 2020

After an exhilarating feature race day last Sunday, we turn our attention to the Valley course this Wednesday 5th February 2020. 

Eight races are carded for this night meeting at the Valley course, on Wednesday 5th February 2020 and it could be a memorable night for trainer John Moore, who is one away from training his 1700th winner. He has looked after some serious horses in his time, with the likes of Able Friend and Beauty Generation being two notable achievers. With three runners carded on the night, he has a big chance of reaching this milestone. The likeliest of the three should be G UNIT who lines up in the 6th Race, a Class 3 event over the 1200m. Grant van Niekerk retains the ride on the back of another double at Sha Tin last Sunday and it surely would be a special moment for the young South African, if he is indeed able to be part of this historic moment. 

Best Bet: THIS IS CLASS (Race 8)
Value Bet: HORSESAIN BOLT (Race 7)

Eight races are carded for this night meeting at the Valley course, on Wednesday 5th February 2020 and it could be a memorable night for trainer John Moore, who is one away from training his 1700th winner. He has looked after some serious horses in his time, with the likes of Able Friend and Beauty Generation being two notable achievers. With three runners carded on the night, he has a big chance of reaching this milestone. The likeliest of the three should be G UNIT who lines up in the 6th Race, a Class 3 event over the 1200m. Grant van Niekerk retains the ride on the back of another double at Sha Tin last Sunday and it surely would be a special moment for the young South African, if he is indeed able to be part of this historic moment.

The first race on the card provides a nice opportunity for van Niekerk to boot home another winner, in the form of the Chang trained SHOW MISSION. He was just touched off last time out, when stepping up to this trip and the improved draw here will certainly work in his favour. He is 3-pounds better with his conqueror on that run and that should allow him to go one better on this occasion. STARLOT finished just behind the top selection last time and he should be the biggest danger in the race.

WINNING WAYS has his third start for his new camp, in the second race on the card, a Class 4 dash over 5-furlongs. He has gone close in his last two starts, having had the blinkers removed and with Zac Purton taking the mount this time, the son of Lope de Vega should be the right one to follow here. HAPPY GOOD DAYS beat the former last time out, but he endures an 8-pound turn around at the weights, which should make things tougher this time. Despite the improved draw and his promising record over this course and distance, he may just have to settle for 2nd.

Race 3 is another Class 4 event, but this time they go 1650m and LET’S TAKE IT EASY looks the likely winner. He rallied late from a wide draw last time out over this course and distance and Leung retains the ride. From a slightly better draw this time, he should be a big runner. Purton takes the mount on CITY LEGEND and he seems to have landed on a competitive mark of 47, so it might be worth including him for minor money.

WINNER’S HEART gave a very good account of himself last time out, when switching to the Valley circuit after a modest debut at Sha Tin. He stayed on strongly at the finish in that latest effort and one certainly gets the impression that he will enjoy the extra furlong. MEHBOOB should give the top selection some cheek in the closing stages. He is also just getting started and with Chadwick retaining the ride, he’ll be right there in the finish.

CASA DE FORCA has a nice opportunity of picking up his first win in Hong Kong, at the 14th time of asking, when he steps out in the 5th race on the card. The French-bred son of Siyouni has landed a plum draw this time, after finding two wide barriers in his last two starts and he should relish stepping back up to this trip now. Moreira looks an attractive booking and he’ll be tough to beat this time.

G UNIT, as mentioned earlier on, presents a nice opportunity for John Moore to land a remarkable milestone if he manages to find the winners’ box. Grant van Niekerk knows him well enough, having picked up two wins and a second from his 4 engagements on the son of Danerich. He commented earlier on that “G Unit has done everything right for me so far and he enjoys Happy Valley, so I’m sure he’ll give his best again”. If he fluffs his lines, it could be the Ting trained BABY who picks up the pieces.

HORSESAIN BOLT should be good value in the 7th. He rallied well in the closing stages when making his debut on the island over the 7-furlongs and the step up in trip should suit him down to the ground. Karis Teetan sticks with him for his follow up attempt and despite this being his first attempt at the valley course, he should be progressive enough to get the job done. BEAR AGAIN has found some solid form since reverting back to the Happy Valley course in his last three starts. He has a fair record over this course and distance and the South African bred son of Var should be worth including for minor money.

The final event on the card is another Class 3 race over 1200m. The pick of the bunch is a firm selection in the form of THIS IS CLASS. He certainly has a classy record for this course and distance and having landed a very useful draw this time, he looks very tough to oppose. He was just touched off last time out, when rising into this class of opposition and with Ho retaining the ride, he’ll be right there at the business end. FLYING SWORD finished behind the top selection last time out, but he lands a much-improved draw this time and he will be rallying late for minor money once again.