Winning Form share all of their best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Happy Valley on 4 January 2024.
VALUE BET – STRONGEST BOY ridden by L. Hewitson
BEST BET – HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE ridden by B. Avdulla
13:10 – Race 1 | Class 4 | 1200m
Selections: 3/4/5
KING ECCELLENTE finished strongly last time when beaten the narrowest of margins by Togepi. He is well-drawn and should go close to winning this opening contest. TRIUMPHANT WARRIOR and BEAUTY INFINITY both placed on debut and will strip fitter for this outing. GOLDEN LONG won well in his first attempt. He comes in at the top of the weights and can make his presence felt.
13:40 – Race 2 | Class 4 | 1200m
Selections: 10/4/9
SHINKANSEN finished a couple of lengths behind Golden Long in his last start and it will be intriguing to see if the form line is given a boost. FLYING PHANTOM finished two lengths behind Gallant Valour on debut. He would have gained from the experience and could be the one they all have to beat.
14:10 – Race 3 | Class 5 | 1650m
Selections: 9/6/7
MEDIC ELITE has finished close-up behind the winner in his last two starts. He is very competitive in Class 5 and should be one of the leading contenders. REGENCY HAPPY STAR has decent form lines to his credit. He is nicely weighted with apprentice Angus Chung aboard and the only concern is the wide draw.
14:40 – Race 4 | Class 4 – 1650m
Selections: 9/10/2
STRONGEST BOY has found one better in his last two starts. He finished a length behind DRAGON STAR last time and is now 3kgs better off at the weights. Lyle Hewitson has picked up the ride and the combination represents decent each-way value for Hong Kong racing pundits. SURE JOYFUL has finished a length behind M Unicorn in his last two starts and can run into the placings.
15:10 – Race 5 | Class 4 | 1000m
Selections: 1/3/9
HARMONY FIRE finished just under a length behind OVERSUBSCRIBED last time. He is 2.5kgs better off at the weights and should be cherry-ripe having his third run after a rest. SAVVY DELIGHT finished 1.8 lengths behind LIFE IS GOOD in his last start. He is 3.5kgs better off at the weights which should be enough to turn the tables.
15:45 – Race 6 | Class 3 | 1650m
Selections: 4/1/11
GALLANT WAKING produced an eye-catching last run when beaten just under a length by Tourbillon Prince. He will have plenty of followers. MOMENTS IN TIME finished 0.4 lengths behind the top selection in the race mentioned above and could be one to fill the exacta spot.
16:15 – Race 7 | Class 3 | 1200m
Selections: 7/9/5
BEAUTY WAVES finished third behind the progressive Galaxy Patch last time. He has cracked pole for his first run at Happy Valley and should take a power of beating. RIGHTEOUS ARION is better than his moderate last effort. He prefers this course and should find a form return with Matthew Chadwick aboard. EXCELLENT FIGHTER is more than capable of winning in Class 3 and must be included in all bets.
16:50 – Race 8 | Class 2 | 1200m
Selections: 1/2/6
HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE caught the eye in his comeback run when beaten 2.2 lengths by SON PAK FU. He is 4kgs better off at the weights and can pick up his first win of the season. SON PAK FU has proven he is a nice sort and is going for a hat-trick of wins. MAJESTIC KNIGHT is in a good space and must also be strongly considered in the lucky last!
