International Racing: Happy Valley – Wednesday 23rd October 2019

Nine races to look forward to this Wednesday 23rd October 2019, with the headliners being the two Class 2 events in the 4th and 9th race respectively. The best bet appears to be the South African bred son of Oratorio, COT CAMPBELL. 

He lines up in the 7th race after a return to racing last time out. He should strip a lot fitter this time and should be worth following. For value, AFTER ME could be the right one to follow. He lines up in race 2 and could be the catalyst for a good day’s racing for punters if landing the gamble early. He has improved in Class 5 company and should be giving his punters a very good run for their money here.

Best Bet: COT CAMPBELL (Race 7)
Value Bet: AFTER ME (Race 2)

Race 1 – 12:45
Selections: 5 – 3 – 11 – 1 – 12
LUCKY SHINY DAY is still a maiden after the 20 outings so far, but he appears to be on the right path of late. He has finished just off them in his last three starts since dropping into this class and he continues to fall in the ratings. That was a solid effort over the course and distance last time out, with the cheekpieces fitted and from a slightly improved draw he gets the services of Moreira. He’ll be settled off the early speed and if finding that smart finish he displayed last time, he’ll go very close to winning. DOCTOR’S DELIGHT returns to Happy Valley, where he has featured prominently in two attempts over this trip. He lands a useful draw here and that should allow him to stalk the early leaders. If repeating that run three starts back, he will be fighting this out for top honours. WONDERFUL TIGER was a no-show on the All-Weather last time when setting the early fractions and fading badly late. He finished just behind the top selection in his penultimate start, over the course and distance and that was from gate 11. Teetan rode him on that occasion and he finds a very handy draw this time around. He has dropped to a very competitive rating and looks a major threat. CALLING THE SHOTS drops into Class 5 company for the first time and he lands an improved draw this time. He has fallen 11 points in his last 5 starts and with Domeyer taking the mount, he can improve to feature.

Race 2 – 13:15
Selections: 5 – 8 – 6 – 10 – 9
AFTER ME gave a solid account of himself in his last start when overcoming draw 9. That was his second run back this term, after a 6-month absence from the course. He had the blinkers removed for both of those runs and that has induced some useful improvement. He has a pretty modest record so far, but on his current trendline he looks a major player here with Sanna retaining and he could be tough to beat this time, off his current mark. SHOW MISSION finished marginally behind the top selection last time out, but on his current form one just gets the feeling that a small spark is going to ignite the necessary improvement to win. He is drawn a little wider this time and does line up 3-pounds worse off with the former, but has the course and distance record to go close and Teetan will be looking to do just that. EXPONENTS has been thereabouts before his last start, where that wide draw put pay to his chances. He was drawn wide in his penultimate start too, but that was over this course and distance and he showed a good turn of foot to rally late on that occasion. Shinn regains the ride and having finished 2nd over the track and trip twice in just 3 attempts, he must be considered. RAICHU has been falling in the ratings of late and he is starting to look a major threat off his current mark of 23. He is drawn well again and he gets the services of Moreira, who retains the ride. If repeating that last start, he should be involved in the late tussle for the winner’s cheque.

Race 3 – 13:45
Selections: 10 – 1 – 9 – 6 – 2 
SPEEDY WALLY is an old campaigner, but he has found some very handy form since dropping back into this class three starts back. He has a big preference for this course and he is well performed over this trip, but the wide draw makes things a lot tougher this time. With that said, Purton takes the mount and he knows him well, having won on him 3-times before. He knows how to turn things on late and if finding a route through the late action, he looks a major threat. AMAZING SATCHMO has been dropping in the ratings and he looks competitive off his current mark of 58. With this being his second start since dropping into a class where he has picked two of his three career triumphs, he looks a major threat from a much-improved draw. Teetan regains the ride and knows him well. With the slight step up in trip, he’s a contender. MISCHIEVOUS SUNDAE has also been slipping in the ratings of late. He is still learning the ropes with this being his 8th outing and the son of Sebring should relish the step up to this trip for the first time. He showed a smart turn of foot last time out over the 1200m and from off the pace, he will be mounting a big challenge with Moreira retaining from a slightly better draw. THOU SHALL SING has his second start back and he clearly needed his latest, over a trip slightly short of his best. He has been slipping in the ratings and lands a useful draw to assist this time. With the step up to the mile for the first time, he could just be a dark horse worth including.


Race 4 – 14:15
Selections: 9 – 3 – 2 – 5 – 8 
PLAYA DEL PUENTE has had just the two starts in Hong Kong, both of which have come in this Class. He was not disgraced last time out, when racing wide without cover for much of the race. That was when stepping up to this course and distance and from a much better draw to launch his challenge from here, he looks tough to beat. He meets the winner of his last start once again, but with a 6-pound favourable turn around at the weights and plenty of scope to improve, he’s the right one. RUTHVEN has been dropping in the ratings and he looks competitive off his current mark of 95 if that last run is anything to go by. That was after two modest efforts against much stronger and the change of tactics to race handy, were clearly beneficial. He should enjoy a slight drop in trip and must be considered. NOT USUSAL TALENT returns for his first run this season and this will be a hat-trick attempt, on the back of two wins in this class – the latest being over this track and trip. He has a solid career record, so despite the fact that he has been penalised 9-pounds for that latest victory, he looks destined for bigger things. Purton takes the mount from an improved draw and he must go in. HAPPY DRAGON is another contender who comes into this event on the back of a win. That was his second start in this class and Chadwick seemed to get the best out of him late, which happened to be his first time aboard the son of Raven’s Pass. He likes this course and distance and from another good draw, he looks a big threat.


Race 5 – 14:45
Selections: 3 – 9 – 7 – 1 – 2 
ALL WONGCHOY has been impressive so far, having overcome a wide draw in both starts. He ran a close 3rd on debut, followed by a gutsy win last time out and from a much-improved draw this time, the 5-pound penalty may not be enough to stop him. Both efforts have come over this course and distance, in this class and he has plenty of scope for more. Shinn retains the ride and he should win. LUCKY GUY has been dropping quickly in the ratings and the signs are there of a big run. He returns to the course where he is yet to feature in 6 attempts, but conditions look ripe for him to turn that record around. He found the 1400m touch too far last time and the drop back to 6-furlongs will suit. Purton rides and he must be considered. LITTLE THUNDER has only had the three starts so far, all of which have come over this trip and on his last two efforts he looks set to go very close here. He does have a wide draw to negate, but Domeyer sticks with him and if find a bit of luck in running, he will be right there. VERY RICH MAN showed solid improvement last time out, when dropping back into the class where he has picked up all three career wins. He has been competitive over this course and distance and he certainly enjoys setting the early speed. With the tongue tie fitted this time, he lands another useful draw and rates a threat.

Race 6 – 15:15
Selections: 1 – 4 – 3 – 8 – 9 
SPEEDY LUCK has dropped in the ratings and he may have just needed his last start, when returning from a 3-month lay-off. He was not disgraced in that run, having been forced to rally wide and he will certainly benefit from landing in gate 2 this time. That last start was his first run since dropping into this class and Moreira retains the ride. He has his second start at this course and he should be the one to beat, considering that he will be a fitter horse this time. SHAMPORT has improved since having the tongue tie fitted in his last two starts. He won his penultimate start over the course and distance and with the 6-pound penalty for that win, he did well to follow up with another useful run last time. That may just hint at the fact that he could be a shade in front of the handicapper and from pole position, he looks a threat with this being his third run back this term. HAPPY TIME Also showed good improvement with the tongue tie fitted last time. That was his first start since dropping into this class of opposition and his first for his new stable. He flashed late from a way back, under the guidance of Purton, who retains the ride here and a repeat of that effort should land him in contention. BULB ELITE has dropped further in the ratings since being lowered into this class and he should go close soon. He has finished just off them in recent times and with this very handy galloping weight on his back, he could just make the necessary improvement to fight this out. He gets the blinkers and should be worth including for minor places.

Race 7 – 15:45
Selections: 1 – 6 – 4 – 2 – 10 
COT CAMPBELL was eye-catching on his return to racing this season, having lost ground at the start before rallying home well for 2nd. That was his first start in this class and the cross-noseband appears to have helped. He is drawn slightly wider this time, but Domeyer will more than likely have him positioned off the early speed and he will be looking to mount a late challenge over the extra furlong. A lightly raced son of top South African sire, Trippi, he has plenty of scope for more and rates the one to beat. RELIABLE TEAM found things a little tougher last time when stepping into this class of opposition, after finding the winners box in his first two starts. He lands a much-improved draw for this step up in trip and it is no surprise to see Purton stick with the ride.  With this being his second run after a rest, he will strip a lot fitter and looks the biggest danger to the top selection, with plenty of improvement to come. HIGH VOLATILITY steps up to the trip where he has found a fair amount of success, with 2 wins and 3 places from 11 attempts. He returns to his favoured course here and from pole position, Sanna will look to find the run of the race in the box seat. The blinkers go on this time and he could be very tough to peg back in the dying stages of the race. If racing fresh after that 4-month absence, he presents a real threat. CALIFORNIA ARGENT steps up in trip for his 6th outing in Hong Kong and he has a good opportunity to grab his biggest stake cheque yet. From gate 3, Teetan takes the mount and he will be tracking the early lead with the increased tempo expected to suit. He looks competitive off his current rating a should be rallying late.

Race 8 – 16:15
Selections: 2 – 1 – 5 – 3 – 6 
JUMBO HAPPINESS has been in good form since returning to racing this year. After an 8-month absence from the course, he has been just touched off in his last two starts and he’ll be cherry ripe for his third run back. He has a useful record over this course and distance and has won in this class. Purton retains the ride from an improved draw and he’ll be finishing strongly. BREEDERS STAR is a close second selection. He ran on strongly last time out when having his first outing this season and that effort would’ve bought him on nicely. That was under Karis Teetan, who retains the ride here. From a much-improved draw, he steps up to his preferred trip and off his current mark of 76, he should be involved in the finish. LE TERRIOR took the step back up to this class last time, in his stride. He has been penalised 10-points in the ratings for that win, but with this just being his 15th career start, he still looks progressive enough to handle the extra weight. He clearly loves this course and distance, having only missed the top two positions on 3 occasions in 8 starts. Drawn well again, Moreira retains the ride and he must be considered a major threat to the top two. SMART LEADER beat the top selection in his penultimate start and he followed that up with a rather flat performance last time. He travelled fairly well initially and just faded out slightly in the closing 150m. He has his third run back now and he sticks to his favoured course and distance, from another fair draw. Shinn takes the mount for the first time and if repeating his penultimate run, he will be right there at the business end.

Race 9 – 16:50
Selections: 1 – 9 – 3 – 6 – 8 
YEE CHEONG BABY has been impressive overall, adding two wins from three appearances in Hong Kong, to his career record of 7-3-1. He returned on the All-Weather last time, after a 4-month absence and despite finishing in 5th place, he was well beaten. He returns to the Turf 1200m, where he picked up his last victory in his penultimate start. That was his first outing in this class and he took it in his stride, winning by a convincing 2 lengths. Purton sticks with the ride and from pole, he should be able to find the run of the race and with plenty more improvement to come, he looks hard to beat. CUE THE MUSIC put in a solid showing on his Hong Kong debut, after a long absence from the racecourse. He is Gr1 placed in South Africa and now steps up to the trip where he gained that title as a 2-year old. He certainly would’ve needed that pipe-opener and from a very useful draw this time, he should be able to find a good early position just off the pace, to launch his powerful challenge from. With two wins from 6 starts, he still has plenty more to come and he must be considered. TORNADO TWIST has been very consistent and that has continued into this class, where he is yet to miss the first three places in his 4 attempts so far. He received a 6-point penalty for winning over this course and distance last time and that was an impressive effort, considering the wide draw he had to overcome. He lands a very useful draw this time and Moreira unsurprisingly retains the ride. He will be lot closer in the early parts of the running and if not in need of the run, he should be right there at the finish. WALDORF has been in exceptional form of late and he finished just behind the former, when stepping up to this class last time out. He lines up 4-pounds better off with TORNADO TWIST on that run and Teetan retains the ride. He has picked up 4 of his career victories over this course and distance and he too will be involved in the finish, if not shy of the run.