Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Happy Valley races.
Rail - B Course
Race 1
#1 HERO STAR has five career wins to his name and they've all been accumulated over this exact course and trip. With four of those five wins coming in the higher grade of class 4 he's well placed dropping back into the easiest grade. In fact, the last time he raced in this class he drew a low gate and was thereafter able to push up and lead all the way. As a 9yo he's certainly in the twilight of his career, but with two runs this preparation up his sleeve, and Bowman jumping on, he should be accountable.
#3 FALCON COURT ran two credible races here at Happy Valley over 1200m late last season and they were both in the higher grade of class 4. With the horror draw of gate 12 to deal with first up he was never in the hunt, after being eased back towards the rear from the very start. With the inside gate to leave from tonight, and committed rider Andrea Atzeni in the saddle, he's expected to be it the finish.
#5 SPEEDY CHARIOT is the horse to primarily focus on off the back of his last start where he rallied home strongly from centre field. In review, he should've won that race but unfortunately the inside draw placed him to a disadvantage with traffic and congestion causing a loss of ground. Zac Purton has now seized the opportunity to takeover over the reigns so you can be assured he'll be given every chance, however, the outside draw doesn't appear overly attractive.
#7 VERBIER has raced much better this campaign and there won't be any fitness concerns coming back to 1200m. He's drawn to race forward from gate 3 and may even be first to find the rail. There's no doubt he's void of any real serious ability but if he continues to improve, there's a race for him to win. He's hasn't seen Happy Valley before which is always a concern but a softer 1200m could be right up his alley.
#12 WIND SPEEDER has gradually trickled down the ratings over the past few seasons and now finds himself at the bottom of class 5. With compulsory retirement imminently looming he must win a race soon to continue competing. With his first up run actually quite competitive he's not the worst runner going around, so if he puts it all together he may just gobble them up.
Selections : 1,3,5,7,12
R2 - 1,12,7,6,11
R3 - 11,8,6,4,10
R4 - 2,11,5,4,10
R5 - 2,3,9,4,6
Race 6
"LONGINES CUP"
(Class 3 - 1200m - Hcp)
#6 HEALTHY HEALTHY was sent out second favourite in the race won by BRAVE STAR first up but he's had the benefit of another race since. He again drew poorly in gate 9, when closing in hard behind RED ELEGANCE at his most recent start, but now appears primed and clearly ready to win third up. The draw is slightly better here and he does map well in the run, so it's therefore envisaged that whatever beats him wins.
#1 BRAVE STAR was unable to win a race last season but got the money for us nicely first up this campaign. He can often give away a start, which generally brings him undone, or alternatively he can over race. Nevertheless, his trial victory leading in to his win was one of the better gallops I'd seen, and he brought that mindset and movement to the races. It'll be more difficult jumping from gate 11, and with a rise in weight of 7lbs, but he's moving better than he has in a long time so don't be leaving him out.
#5 LUCKY ARCHANGEL is a 7 time winner over this course and trip and must be highly respected. He's always raced well at the beginning of a season which was clearly evident last year when he won 3 of his first 4. He's previously won of a rating as high as 67 points, which is exactly the handicap mark he races off tonight. The barrier draw is good and so is the record of the jockey so leave him out at your peril.
#11 VICTOR THE RAPID ran an encouraging race first up last season before finding interference out the gates at his only other start. He's been working well in the lead up to his seasonal return and is expected to obviously improve. He could be worth including in the wider exotics at a price and importantly has won a trial at Happy Valley in the past.
#9 POSITIVE SMILE was previously trained by the Hayes stable in Australia before transferring to father David Hayes in Hong Kong. He won two races in provincial New South Wales, at Albury and Wagga Wagga, but didn't beat much at the time. He had a look around the Happy Valley circuit when trialling here in September but market movements are sure to be the best and accurate guide.
Selections : 6,1,5,11,9
R7 - 2,4,7,6,12
R8 - 8,5,12,7,4
