International Racing: Happy Valley – Wednesday 9th October 2019

The ninth meeting of this term gets underway at Happy Valley, this Wednesday 9th October 2019 and there are 9 races carded. While there are no feature races to mention, a competitive card awaits punters and they may have to wait until the last race, where the apparent best bet on the card lines up over the minimum trip.

That is SNAP FIT and he will be looking to maintain his unbeaten record in this slightly tougher clash. The value bet on the card will be the Hall trained, GODSPEED and he will be looking to give South African champion jockey his first win in Hong Kong, in the 5th race on the card.

Best Bet: SNAP FIT (Race 9)
Value Bet: GODSPEED (Race 5)

Race 1 – 12:45
Selections: 6 – 3 – 11 – 12 – 4
STARLOT had an incident-filled run last time out, which proved costly to his chances of earning a stake cheque. Slow away, he lost further ground thereafter, when becoming squeezed for room. From off the pace, he then found further traffic in the concluding stages and consequently wasn’t able to find top speed late on. He finished just 2.25 lengths off the winner and surely would’ve gone closer had he found a clear path. He steps back up to the trip where he has notched up both of his career wins and incidentally, both of those wins have come at this course. Purton takes the mount this time and from a reasonable draw, he’ll be positioned off the early speed. He’ll be looking for a clear run in and if finding one, should go a lot closer and rates the one to beat. GOUTEN OF GARO has dropped in class and further in the ratings, in recent times. With that reduced rating, he has shown signs of a big run – no less in his lass start when finishing in 3rd over this course and distance. With that being his second run this term, he now lines up for his peak run and should be cherry-ripe for this. Moreira takes the mount and from pole position, he looks the main danger to the top selection. LEISURED FEET has also dropped in the ratings and has clearly benefitted from being fitted with the shadow roll, in his last two starts. He has the gate speed to find a handy early position, but from gate 11 he will risk being caught deep and that is certainly something his followers will need to consider. He beat the top selection last time out and the second selection in his penultimate start, which obviously brings him right into contention. But as mentioned, the draw makes things much tougher this time. NASHASHUK returns from a rest for his first outing this season and he will be looking to that progress on that good latest. He has been dropping in the ratings for some time now and if not in need of the run, must go in for minor money.

Race 2 – 13:15
Selections: 8 – 1 – 5 – 9 – 11
FLAME LILLY has a useful record since reverting to this course and distance in his last four starts, having finished in the first three on all four occasions. He may have gone a lot closer last time, when taking a bump at the start before becoming hampered late on. Moreira takes the mount this time from another useful draw and although this will be his first outing this season, he is clearly well handicapped off his current mark and looks the one to beat. For second, GOD OF DRAGON looks the likeliest. He too, returns for his first outing this term – with this being his first effort in this reduced class and if not too in need of the run, he’ll be right there. He does have a tricky draw to overcome and that will force him to commit early under Karis Teetan, who retains the ride. It should be a relatively tough trip for the son of Red Dazzler, but he certainly has the ability to feature in this class and deserves plenty of respect. NITRO EXPRESS has been dropping in the ratings for some time and he should start to show signs of featuring in the finish soon. The son of Nadeem gets the blinkers fitted and the tongue tie removed for this outing and that move could be the catalyst for the expected improvement. With the 5-pound favourable turn-around at the weights with SPEEDY WALLY, Callan retains the ride and he looks a threat. The latter finished in front of the third selection last time out and despite rallying late in that run, went down a short-head in second. He seems to have taken the step up in class in his stride and from pole position, should go very close. Domeyer takes the mount and he must be included.

Race 3 – 13:45
Selections: 9 – 1 – 5 – 12 – 3 
TRAVEL DATUK has been in good consistent form, before knocking off for a short rest over the season interval. The form line of his last start has stood up nicely, with the GENTLE BREEZE following that win up with another win two starts later. HARDLY SWEARS finished behind the top selection in that same race and he too has since come out and won. He has a much better draw now, having found pole position for this minor step up in trip and that means he won’t have to travel as wide as he has done in his last two. Callan sticks with the mount and with the 10-pound favourable weight turn around with HARDLY SWEARS on their last meeting, he looks a big runner and the selection for the lion’s share of the prize money here. EVERBRAVE finished just behind the latter last time and he’ll now line up 5-pounds better off at the weights, on that run.  He showed a good turn of foot in that comeback run and the extra furlong here should suit. From another useful draw, Domeyer retains the ride and he should be the main danger. BRIGHT KID has been sliding in the ratings and he has shown some improvement in his last two starts, since having the tongue tie removed.  He did well to box on late in his last start, when negotiating a wide draw and from gate 3 he should find a favourable mid-field position this time. A repeat of that penultimate effort brings him further into the equation and he is certainly not without a chance here. MULTIMAX has been in solid recent form, having been touched off in his last three starts. He had the visor fitted for his stable debut last time and showed plenty of resolve to rally late. He finds a tougher draw this time, but that shouldn’t be too much of a disadvantage as he’ll be using his gate speed to cross over and take up the early running and the old campaigner may be tough to get past in the closing stages.

Race 4 – 14:15
Selections: 2 – 8 – 5 – 9 – 1
ZERO HEDGE put forward a promising comeback run last time out, under Moreira who retains the ride today. He was slightly slow away, but quickly overcame that ‘pedestrian’ start to find the box seat early on. Staying on late over the 1000m, he will enjoy the extra furlong here and that run would’ve sharpened him up nicely. He line’s up for his 3rd outing since dropping into this class and he has dropped a further 2 points in the ratings – his next winning turn is surely just around the corner. The pacifiers appear to have assisted him, since having them fitted in his last two starts and form another favourable draw, looks set for huge run here. He has strong opposition in the form of AURORA PEGASUS and with only three runs under his belt, still has plenty of scope. The son of Iffraaj has shown good improvement with each of those three runs, all of which have been in this class and he clearly enjoyed stepping up to this trip last time. The tongue tie was fitted on that occasion and from an improved draw, it is no surprise to see Zac Purton stick with him. He’ll more than likely feature prominently at the top of the betting boards and will certainly give the top selection a big run for his money. TOP SCORE finished behind the top selection in his penultimate start and he’ll line up at the start with a 2-pound favourable turn around at the weights this time. He clearly has a major preference for this track and trip and despite the wide draw that he has to overcome, his followers can expect to see him rallying late and he deserves to be respected. THE ABRAXAS has been dropping in the ratings for some time and he looks set to make good improvement, from gate 2. As usual, he will look to set the early fractions and with that ever-diminishing weight on his back, he will certainly start to become tougher to catch. With that in mind, he must be considered.

Race 5 – 14:45
Selections: 11 – 7 – 6 – 5 – 9 
GODSPEED has faired relatively well since stepping into this class of opposition and he put in an eye-catching performance last time out, when overcoming a wide draw on his return this season. He rallied wide late and made up many lengths over the final 400m. That was over the 1400m and he should strip fitter for this step up in trip today. The blinkers seem to be assisting and he gets the services of Lyle Hewitson from a slightly improved draw. He will be looking to ride his first winner, since arriving in Hong Kong and he has a great chance here. C P POWER has a useful record over this course and distance and he has been on the improve in his last three starts, culminating in a smart display last time out. That was on his return this season and a repeat of that fast finish last time brings him right into contention. Drawn well, with Domeyer up and he deserves plenty of respect. CHARITY WINGS has been dropping in the ratings and he has shown signs of finding some winning form. He is drawn a little wide today, but Purton takes the mount and he will certainly be looking go forward early. He finished in front of the top selection the last time they met, which happened to be in his last start. If he manages to find something left in the tank late, he’ll be a tough horse to pass. NABOO STAR had a very tough trip last time and as a result, he ran out of steam and wasn’t persisted with in the closing stages. That was six months ago and on his prior form, he was a worthy favourite. Moreira takes the mount for his return to competitive racing and from a useful draw, deserves inclusion.

Race 6 – 15:15
Selections: 6 – 7 – 2 – 3 – 10
BULLISH BROTHER was caught further back than he would’ve preferred last time, as a result of an incident-filled start. He was drawn wide in that run and having lost his opportunity to go handy, was forced to find cover and found himself with too much to do at the business end. He has another tricky draw to negate here, but with a bit more luck he’ll more than likely find the early lead. He has solid course and distance form and on his prior form, should be tough to beat. KUNG FU TEA showed plenty of greenness on his career debut and was forced to switch at a crucial stage at the business end. He reverts to the Happy Valley course for his second start and finds a very useful draw. The son of Shocking will have plenty of scope to improve on that 4,5-length beating on debut and looks a major threat here. PRECIOUS SWEETIE won his last start over this course and distance, adding to that already solid record at this track and trip. He was penalised 7 points in the ratings for that second career win and on his consistent prior form, will certainly be in with a shout. SHAMPORT is another contender coming off the back of his second career win and that may have been something to do with the tongue tie being fitted for that run. That was when dropping to the 1200m and he seems to have a preference for this course, going on his 4 starts here so far. Moreira retains the ride, despite being penalised 6 points for that last win and he must be included.

Race 7 – 15:45
Selections:  9 – 10 – 4 – 1 – 7
HARMONY HERO went close on his season return last time out, over this course and distance. That was when stepping into this class of opposition, with the tongue tie fitted for the first time. He finished behind GREEN LUCK in that run, but lines up a full 7-pounds better off with the latter this time. He has gone close in four from five appearances over this course and distance and now finds a tough draw to negate for his 6th attempt. With that said, he does have a turn of foot if he is forced to settle off the early speed and that will come in handy in the closing stages. He should strip fitter now and rates a major threat. With a bit of luck in early running, he looks well handicapped to go very close here. PLAYA DEL PUENTE found some betting support for his Hong Kong debut, on the back of a solid career record so far. He found a very fast finish from a long way back and he’ll certainly enjoy the step up in trip this time. He is drawn widest, but he’ll be looking to settle off the early pace and that takes him out of the early scramble to go forward. He makes his course debut at Happy Valley and if building on that last start, looks a major threat with Karis Teetan up. VICTORY BOYS returns for his season debut here and he drops to a trip where he has found some success in the past, despite campaigning over further of late. He finds a useful draw to mount his challenge from and with Purton up, must go in. GREEN LUCK is another contender with a solid course and distance record to his name. He is yet to miss the first three over this track and trip, from five outings and if repeating his penultimate start, he’ll feature prominently in the finish. Moreira jumps back on and he must be considered, despite the weight turn around with the top selection.

Race 8 – 16:15
Selection: 3 – 7 – 10 – 12 – 1
BLITZING is an ever-consistent performer, particularly over this course and distance. He has never missed the first four places, from 10 appearances over this track and trip – with three wins to add to that. He returns from a 4-month absence from the course and lands another useful draw for his season opener. Moreira takes the mount and from a handy early position, he’ll be tough to catch. BALLISTIC KING finds another tricky draw to overcome, but he is a consistent performer in this class. He has been thereabouts in his last few starts and is a very tough customer to shake off in the closing stages. He has all of the 9,10 and 12 potentially held on that latest effort and with this being his second start this season, will be fitter and sharper and must be considered. NORDIC WARRIOR finished a nose behind BALLISTIC KING last time and that was after racing wide and rallying late, showing plenty of resolve. He has another tough draw to overcome but with Purton up this time, he will more that likely be looking to have him a little handier this time. With some luck, he will be involved in the finish and on his recent form looks a major threat. MR PICASSO is another to have finished behind the second selection, in his penultimate start and he lines up on 2-pound better weight terms this time. He has been sliding in the ratings for some time and with this being his third outing this season, he will be cherry-ripe. Poon regains the mount and he is well handicapped to go into the frame, from a good draw.

Race 9 – 16:50
Selection: 9 – 7 – 2 – 11 – 8 
A Class 3 dash over the minimum trip will close proceedings and SNAP FIT should be the best opportunity on the card to have a confident win bet, on the nose. He has featured prominently in the betting in both starts, albeit in Class 4 company and he has duly delivered in fine style under Zac Purton. No surprises to see him stick with the ride for this rise in class and he will be looking to continue his unbeaten career record over this course and distance. From a handy draw, he will be prominent throughout and should be too good here. SPECIAL STARS will line up for his 11th career outing today and he will do it from pole position. He has been finishing just off them in his last few starts over this course and distance and he will be far better positioned to launch a challenge on the top selection, with Moreira back up. Both of his career victories have come over this course and distance and one of them has been in this class. Off his current rating, he looks a big threat and should be involved in the placings. FORZA ANGEL has been a consistent performer in this class and he jumps from gate 10 today, for this slight drop in trip. He should be the early speed in the race and if not using up too much to get there, should have the resolve to rally late under Lyle Hewitson and must be considered for minor money. AMAZING LUCK finds a very handy draw for this shorter trip and he’s another who will be looking to settle near the front. Teetan retains the ride after that decent comeback run last time out and he should strip a lot fitter now. That will stand him in good stead at the business end and he should be involved in the late charge.