Nine events are carded this Wednesday 26th February 2020 and we return to the Valley Turf course for an intriguing book of races.
Two Class 1 events headline the program in the form of the Shan Kwong Handicap over 1650m and the Blue Pool Handicap – a 1200m dash with an impressive line-up. The best bet on the card comes in the sixth race, where TASHILDELEK looks due to win when he lines up in a race where conditions should suit. For a bit of value, OVERSUBSCRIBED could be one to follow in the 4th.
|
Race
|
Time
|
Conditions
|
1st
|
2nd
|
3rd
|
4th
|
5th
|
|
1
|
12:45
|
1800m – Class 5
|
6
|
1
|
7
|
4
|
10
|
|
2
|
13:15
|
1200m – Class 4
|
5
|
1
|
2
|
11
|
4
|
|
3
|
13:45
|
1650m – Class 4
|
7
|
2
|
4
|
12
|
6
|
|
4
|
14:15
|
1000m – Class 4
|
11
|
4
|
7
|
1
|
5
|
|
5
|
14:45
|
1650m – Class 1
|
1
|
3
|
4
|
9
|
10
|
|
6
|
15:15
|
2200m – Class 3
|
1
|
12
|
6
|
7
|
3
|
|
7
|
15:45
|
1200m – Class 1
|
4
|
1
|
8
|
9
|
2
|
|
8
|
16:15
|
1650m – Class 3
|
4
|
8
|
1
|
2
|
9
|
|
9
|
16:50
|
1200m – Class 3
|
1
|
6
|
8
|
3
|
5
|
Best Bet: TASHIDELEK (Race 6)
Value Bet: OVERSUBSCRIBED (Race 4)
The meeting kicks off with an 1800m Class 5 event and MCMUNIGAL is the pick for first. The son of Epaulette finally cracks a useful draw and on his last two efforts over this trip, he looks tough to oppose. SPEEDY WALLY could be his biggest danger, being a class dropper and Zac Purton makes for an interesting booking. He may prefer a touch shorter, but he has won over this trip and deserves plenty of respect.
ARES is the pick in the second race. He was firmly supported in his career opener but found interference at a crucial stage and ended up finishing 2,75-lengths back. He will relish the extra furlong here and will no doubt line up a wiser horse after that outing. With the scope for improvement in mind, Purton unsurprisingly retains the ride and they should get the job done this time.
The third race is a tricky Class 4 event over the 1650m, and cases can be made for a few contenders. SUNNY POWER has dropped in the ratings and he has clearly landed on a competitive mark if his recent form is anything to go by. DOR DOR is another runner who has found a useful streak of form. He lands a handy draw and, on his course and distance record, he will be involved in the finish and must be respected.
The fourth race is another Class 4 event, this time over the minimum trip and OVERSUBSCRIBED should be worth following. He has been right there in both of his last two starts over this course and distance and he finds a plum draw now. With just six starts to his name, he has scope for improvement and must be included in all bets. WINNER’S HEART has the cheekpieces fitted this time, when he lines up for his 4th outing. He has shown good improvement in his last two efforts and from a plum barrier, he should be right there.
ENCOURAGING should be the one to follow in the first of two Class one events when he lines up in the fifth race. The son of Redoute’s Choice is unbeaten in two outings over this track and trip and despite the wide barrier, he should relish stepping back up to this trip. Purton takes the mount for the first time and that will give his followers a bit of confidence. He has won in this class before and should be hard to catch here. FAST MOST FURIOUS has been a major contender in his last three efforts and he is yet to be unplaced in three efforts in Class 1 company. He finds a plum draw and deserves loads of respect.
Race six looks like a golden opportunity for punters to have a confident bet, with the Moore trained TASHILDELEK who looks a strong leading contender over the 2200m. He just missed over this course and distance in his penultimate start and followed that up with another promising effort under Zac Purton last time. The top jock retains the ride from a much-improved draw here and he should be tough to oppose. PARTY TOGETHER could be the biggest danger if he overcomes the draw, but he may just have to settle for second.
AMAZING STAR goes for four wins in a row, when he lines up in the second of the Class 1 events, the Blue Pool Handicap. All three of those recent victories have come over this course and distance and with Purton retaining the ride, it looks like another realistic outcome here. FAT TURTLE is a super consistent sort and he can be excused for that disappointing finish last time out, when enduring a tough trip from the word go. He lands a much better draw this time and with more luck in running, he could be a big threat to the top selection.
HIGH REV is the pick for first prize when he lines up in the penultimate race on the card, a Class 3 event over the 1650m. The son of Fastnet Rock is racing off a competitive looking mark now and because he drops in class for this run, he looks tough to oppose. He has a very good record over this course and distance and if he brings some of that form into this race, he should win. FLYING QUEST and BEAUTY RUSH should be the biggest dangers in the race and could be worth including for the wider perms.
The final race on the card looks competitive and it’s the son of Coats Choice, HIGHLY PROACTIVE, who is narrowly selected to win. He has delivered for his followers in both of his last two starts, but he has taken a knock in the ratings. With that said, the Teetan / Lui partnership have enjoyed some incredible success of late and despite the draw, they have another great opportunity here. CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT followed up his Hong Kong debut success with a fair effort last time and he still has plenty of scope for more. That latest effort was the first time in his short career that he has tasted defeat, but from a much-improved draw this time, he should be a massive runner.
