International Racing: Happy Valley Turf – 4 December 2019

Frankie Dettori and Zac Purton, the two best jockeys on the planet, do battle in the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship at this Happy Valley meeting. 

They will be competing against 10 more of the worlds’ best, including Oisin Murphy and Ryan Moore to name a few. The best bet on the card comes in the form of JOYFUL UNION, in the last race on the card. He has his peak run on the back of two good performances at this level and he should be tough to beat here. CHARIZARD has a rather smart turn of foot and if building on his latest, which happened to be his first over this course and distance, he’ll have a very nice chance.

Best Bet: JOYFUL UNION (Race 9)
Value Bet: CHARIZARD (Race 7)

Race 1 – 12:30 – Class 5 – 1200m 
Selections: 2 – 3 – 4 – 1 – 12
FARM BUMPER was a little headstrong last time out when dropping into this class and that keenness would’ve cost him in the closing stages. He has slipped a further two points in the ratings after that run and he appears to have landed on a rather competitive mark when one considers his improving form. He lands a plum draw here and with scope for further improvement expected, he has a nice chance to pick up that first victory, with the tongue-tie fitted. KWAI CHUNG ELITE has also dropped in the ratings of late and his form is starting to look threatening. He enjoyed the drop to this trip last time and despite having only had the one run at this course, he has the form over this trip to feature. Badel retains the ride from a tough draw, but he must be included. GREAT SON will be looking to race prominently from that draw and with that gate speed in his arsenal, he should get there comfortably. He has won over this course and distance previously and with de Sousa up, he’s a worthy contender here. BLOOMING SPIRIT shares the ‘top-weight’ responsibility with the top two selections and he has the added task of having to negotiate a tough draw here. He has the blinkers re-fitted this time and Moreira retains the ride. He has finished 4th in his one and only attempt over this track and trip and with this being his peak run and second start in this lesser class, he must go in.

Race 2 – 13:00 – Class 5 – 1650m
Selections: 11 – 1 – 2 – 8 – 9 
KWAICHUNG BROTHERS gave a good account of himself on his return last time when taking advantage of a plum draw to box on for a 2,5-length beating. He has dropped 9-points in the ratings in his last five starts and he lands another fair barrier this time. Purton takes the mount and he is the likely winner here. CALLING THE SHOTS has shown the expected improvement since dropping into this class, in his penultimate start. He has clearly enjoyed stepping up to this trip in both of those efforts and despite the tricky draw he has to overcome, he rates a major contender in this company. He finished in front of the top selection in his penultimate run and if not for the draw here, he is tough to knock on form. CHAPARRAL STAR drops into this class after a modest campaign in Class 4 company. He has a very good record over this course and distance and with 2 wins from 4 outings in this class, he can be expected to mount a serious challenge here and he must be considered. LIVERBIRD STAR has improved in each of his last three starts, since returning this season. The blinkers seemed to help last time and they stay on again. He lands another good draw for his first outing at this course and over the 1650m, but off his current mark of 33 he deserves to be respected.

Race 3 – 13:30 – Class 4 – 1200m
Selections: 7 – 1 – 10 – 2 – 4
EL JEFE gave a fair account of himself on debut, when having to check at the 300m before boxing on well for a 5,25-length defeat. He made late headway in that run and with this being just his second start, he will have plenty of room for improvement over the extra furlong. He lands a plum draw for his first effort around the turn and van Niekerk retains the ride. The blinkers are fitted this time and he should be a major contender 2nd-up. WINNING FEELING improved with the blinkers last time when dropping into this class for his peak run. He found traffic at the start in that run, before becoming baulked at the 200m and a smooth passage this time will certainly enhance his chances. Ryan Moore takes the ride and from gate 2 and he will be a major contender. MASTER ALBERT has slipped in the ratings and he put that much-improved draw to good use last time when going down narrowly in defeat. Teetan dropped the reigns at a crucial time and that may have cost him the race. He lands another handy draw this time, for his return to the same course and distance and Teetan retains the ride. He has another big shot at the winners’ box and must go in. DOLLAR REWARD has found some solid form on the All-Weather in his first three outings this season, picking up two wins before a respectable 6th last time. He is back on Turf this time and Moreira takes the ride, having won on him once from two attempts previously. The pacifiers are removed and he must be included.

Race 4 – 14:10 – Class 4 – 1000m 
Selections: 1 – 4 – 9 – 8 – 7 
EVERBRAVE didn’t enjoy the slower pace last time, over the extra furlong and he will enjoy dropping back to the minimum trip for his peak run this term. He was only beaten by half a length in his comeback run over this course and distance and he lands another decent draw here. P-C Boudot takes the ride and they look the likely winners here. VERY SWEET ORANGE has found very good form as a five-year-old and that has continued into Class 4 territory. He has plenty of speed and that helped him overcome that wide barrier last time. He is drawn in gate 10 this time and the same tactics will be required. With a bit of luck, he’ll go into the frame. NUNCHUCKS gets the services of the world-class globetrotter, Frankie Dettori, for his second-course appearance. He boxed on well on debut, after an awkward start and he may just be better suited to the 5-furlongs at this stage. From a handy draw, he gets the tongue tie fitted and he must be included. GOOD VIEW CLARICO has shown a fair amount of promise in both starts so far. He has a decent amount of early speed and looks set to make a big impression over this shorter trip. He does have a tricky draw to negate, but his useful gate speed should help him find a handy position and he could be a big threat at the finish.

Race 5 – 14:40 – Class 4 – 1650
Selections: 8 – 9 – 7 – 4 – 1
CHARITY WINGS has slipped to a very competitive rating, in his last five starts which have all been in this class and over this course and distance. With this being his 4th run back this season, fitness certainly won’t be in question and he lands another very helpful draw which will aid his bid for the winners’ box. RIGHTEOUS MATE has enjoyed dropping back to this trip in his last two starts, winning his penultimate before a solid follow up run for 2nd last time out. Ryan Moore jumps aboard this time and he must be included. DREAM WARRIORS gave a very good account of himself when dropping back to this trip last time out. He finished right behind the top two in that run and he lands in pole for his fifth run back this term. Teetan jumps back aboard, having ridden him on five previous occasions and he has a nice chance to pick up his second career win. STARSHIP hasn’t quite shaped in both of his last two starts, since dropping back into a class where he has tasted a fair amount of success. Frankie Dettori jumps aboard the son of Husson and having dropped further in the ratings, his return to form is right around the corner and he still deserves some respect.

Race 6 – 15:10 – Class 4 – 1650m
Selections: 9 – 1 – 3 – 10 – 6 
PRESIDENT STAR has only had the four starts so far and he has slipped 6-pounds in the ratings since that debut. He was caught a little wide last time, when overcoming barrier 10 and did well to box on for a 4,25-length defeat. That was only his second attempt over this course and distance and he lands a better draw this time, which should aid his cause somewhat. He still has plenty of scope and with Chadwick retaining, he could be worth a bet. BEST ALLIANCE has his first start in this class, after a string of modest performances against stronger. With that said, the last time he ran over this course and distance was in Class 3 company, when going down by 2,5-lengths just five starts back. Hewitson retains, having ridden him in his last two starts and if overcoming the draw, he’ll be right there. ZHAN JIANG ROCKS finished in front of the top selection last time out, but he now lines up 5-pounds worse off at the weights with the former. With that said, he finds an improved draw for his third start since dropping into this class. He has been knocking on the door over this course and distance and on his last two starts, he rates a major threat. AEROFLASH has his fifth career start here and he gets the blinkers fitted this time, being his first outing at Happy Valley. He lines up 8-pounds better off with the third selection and should have plenty of scope to improve to feature.

Race 7 – 15:40 – Class 3 – 1650m
Selections: 2 – 1 – 4 – 6 – 3
CHARIZARD enjoyed stepping up to this trip on his first outing at this course. He showed a very good turn of foot, to come from an unlikely position to go into the frame. He lands an improved draw and Oisin Murphy takes the mount this time. If building on that latest effort, he will be finishing over the top and should just about win this. MY ALLY finished just behind the top selection last time, under the services of the 10-pound claiming Chan. With Ho up this time, he will line up 8-pounds worse off with the former, on their last meeting and that will make things a bit tougher. The wider draw won’t help either, but he has a useful record over this course and distance and on recent form he deserves respect. FLYING QUEST has another wide draw to overcome, but he returns to the track and trip where he has won two previous attempts. He has a very fast finish so with the expected pace on, he should be closing in fast over the final furlong and another prominent finish can be expected. BEAUTY DAY has been in consistent form in recent times and despite receiving the 5-pound penalty for that win in his penultimate start, he can consider himself unlucky for not following up with another one last time. He pulled up with a cut leg after that start and that may have compromised his chances. If overcoming the wide barrier here, he will be right there.

Race 8 – 16:10 – Class 2 – 1800m
Selections: 6 – 12 – 3 – 1 – 10 
HAPPY DRAGON has found solid form since returning this season, having won his penultimate before following that up with a good effort last time out. Both runs were over slightly further and with his latest run being his third since rising to this class, he clearly has plenty more to come. Drawn in gate 8 this time, Frankie Dettori takes the mount and he’s a major contender for the lion’s share of the prize money. GLORIOUS DRAGON has only had the 7-starts here and he has his third run back after the short recess. Beaten a short-head in his only run over this course and distance, he will enjoy dropping back slightly in trip after a solid effort over 10-furlongs last time. He is drawn well for his peak run back and despite the fact that he steps up in class, he should be right there at the business end. TURIN REDSTAR is a versatile sort who seems to be at home on both the All-Weather and Turf courses. He steps up the 1800m after two good efforts over the 1650m, with his penultimate start being his first run back this term. He has his peak run here and makes his first appearance for his new conditioner. From a good draw, Moreira takes the ride and off his current rating at this level, his next winning turn is just around the corner if not this time. GREEN LUCK is a consistent performer in this class and he has been knocking on the door since returning this term. He drops back into Class 2 company here, after a 1,25-length defeat against stronger opposition last time out and he should relish returning to the 1800m where he has gone close before. Drawn well, he must be included.


Race 9 – 16:40 – Class 3 – 1200m
Selections: 1 – 5 – 4 – 9 – 6 
JOYFUL UNION finds an improved draw after a solid effort over this course and distance last time out. He has his peak run back this season and with this being his 11th career start (7th in Hong Kong), he still has the necessary scope to improve and put a field like this to bed. Purton takes the mount and he should just about be the best bet on the card. NAMJONG SINGS showed solid improvement last time when following up after a modest debut at Sha Tin. He has plenty of speed and scope to improve further. With Moore taking the ride from an even better draw this time, he looks destined to fight out the finish. TAKE WHAT YOU NEED gave a useful account of himself, down the 1000m straight course at Sha Tin, on his Hong Kong debut. He finds a tricky draw to overcome, for his Happy Valley debut over the extra furlong, but with just the 4 starts to his name he still has improvement to come. He will strip a fitter horse this time and if building on that local debut, he’ll be right there. BUOYANT BOY has been in good consistent form over this course and distance of late. He appears to be racing off a competitive rating currently and that was confirmed last time when finishing right behind the second selection. From a tougher draw, he has his peak run back and with a bit of luck in running, he should be involved in the finish.