Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Happy Valley races.
Rail - C Course
Race 1
#12 RED MAVERICK should have finished closer up behind RIGHT HONOURABLE most recently but the wide draw forced him to settle to far back.With another wide draw to sort through here there's potentially a change of tactic on the horizon with a lack of early speed.He led three starts back at Sha Tin over 1400m and stuck quite well and I reckon that'll be the option tonight.Whatever the case he's definitely close to cracking it for his maiden Hong Kong win.
#4 RIGHT HONOURABLE is enjoying his final season of racing with a win and two thirds so far credited to his account.He meets a similar field to what he defeated last start, is better drawn in barrier 8, but must shoulder an additional weight penalty of 6lb.The pace of the race probably goes against him, as does the fact that he hasn't often won two on the bounce, but he's light on his feet at present and for that reason impossible to dismiss.
#5 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, and a bad check shortly after the jump second up, he was never in the hunt at either outing.The blinkers then went on last start but he again never got into the race after half missing the jump.However, all three efforts have displayed some credibility so with Purton up, along with a rise in distance, he's given a solid win/place chance.
#10 MEDIC ELITE has the advantage of race fitness on his side and he'll receive another great opportunity here from the low advantageous draw.It won't be a surprise to see him find the line hard, and the frame, but as we all know everything must go his way.Alexis Badel made a couple of small errors in running last time which cost him a length or two, but I don't reckon that'll be happening this time around.He can win but he doesn't win out of turn.
#3 THE CONCENTRATION sat outside the leader when winning his only race at Sha tin last season which was over the 1400m.The win came in this grade, via a gutsy effort on the day, but it's been his only bragging right to date.However, he can lead this race comfortably on early sectional data if he doesn't overcook, so he may run a race.
Selections : 12,4,5,10,3
R2 - 4,10,8,1,12
R3 - 5,7,2,1,3
Race 4
#3 VIVA GRACIOUSNESS arrived in Asia rated 72 following a third placing in the 2023 G2 Queensland Guineas.He struggled through his first campaign of racing in Hong Kong with no results or prize money gained.The off season break saw him relocate to Sha Tin from the Conghua training complex in China and his work has noticeably picked up since.His best finish was last start where he raced handy, before battling away to the line, so he's getting closer to a win.
#11 COURIER MAGIC has won on two occasions with both victories coming over this course and trip.His run last start, as favourite, was better than it appears after drawing wide and also finding significant brother in the run.Zac Purton now shifts to STRONGEST BOY, which shall certainly edge out his starting price, but from the low draw with previous winning rider Ben Thompson back a board, I'd be giving him another chance to shine.
#4 CAN'T GO WRONG can only boast one solitary victory during his twenty seven start Hong Kong career but he's an honest campaigner who's likely to feature.He's yet to follow through on his solid Australian form from another life, where he was Gp2 placed, but he continually rocks up with the required approach.The 8lb rise in weight, combined with a slightly awkward draw, don't complement his prospects but he is difficult to drop off.
#1 SMART CITY only recently ventured to Happy Valley which combined with his second start in class 4.He's often gone around at a big price, and there's been plenty of average runs along the way, but I wouldn't underestimate his prospects here from the good draw.His effort towards the end of last season behind class 3 runner CHING rated particularly well, so despite the weight he's capable of running well.
#7 STRONGEST BOY isn't a prolific winner but he should be included amongst the hopes in this contest.The majority of his money making efforts have come over the Happy Valley mile and generally when Zac Purton is aboard.Throw in to the mix, the likely run of the race, after jumping from barrier 5, and he's rather difficult to dismiss.The market should be open, and there'll be an each way price up for grabs, which makes him a viable option.
Selections : 3,11,4,1,7
R5 - 2,10,1,6,12
R6 - 5,4,9,11,2
R7 - 12,9,7,6,2
R8 - 4,7,11,9,6
R9 - 8,2,6,4,3
