Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Happy Valley races.

"LONGINES"
INTERNATIONAL JOCKEY'S
CHAMPIONSHIP 
RACES - 4,5,7,8
(Happy Valley - Hong Kong)

"SELECTED RIDERS"

Zac Purton  HKG
Hugh Bowman  HKG
Vincent Ho  HKG
Karis Teetan  HKG
James McDonald  NZ
Ryan Moore  GB
Rachel King  AUS
Hollie Doyle  GB
William Buick  GB
Mickael Barzalona  FR
Colin Keane  IRE
Yuga Kawada  JPN

POINTS ALLOCATION 

1st - 3 points
2nd - 2 points
3rd - 1 point

JOCKEY'S PRIZE MONEY (HKD)

1st - 600K
2nd - 250K
3rd - 150K

Rail - A Course

R1 - 2,10,3,7,12

R2 - 3,5,12,1,8

R3 - 3,2,12,4,10

Race 4

"LONGINES"
International Jockeys'
Championship - 1st Leg

#3 LEAN MASTER has come good over the past 10 months and is almost back to his initial arrival rating of 63 points.Trainer Dennis Yip placed him over 1200m his first two runs this campaign which created a solid foundation of strength.That was evident third up, when he drove hard at the line to almost win in a blanket finish over this precise course and trip.With an excellent draw to jump from, it's a terrific opportunity for English rider William Buick to get on the board early.

#8 CIRCUIT SEVEN is peaking in fitness as he arrives for this additional prize money event and barrier 3 helps consolidate his winning prospect.He's tactically versatile but most affective when ridden with a touch of patience, which should be his positioning tonight via Irish jockey Colin Keane.He's found the line fondly from mid-field his past two starts but it's envisaged he'll settle slightly further forward.

#10 PARENT'S LOVE is firing on all cylinders this campaign and saluted the judge with his first victory last start by leading all the way.With last year's winner of this series Vincent Ho allocated the ride it's probable he'll find the front again.There'll be a stronger class of opponent chasing now he's up in class but he'll be giving you a big bold sight.

#9 SIGHT HAPPY has been taken back from the wide gates at his last two starts but found the line well at the end.With a soft draw on offer in gate 5 he should be credited with an ideal position in behind the speed.With Zac Purton atop, he'll no doubt be given every conceivable chance in a race with multiple hopes.

#4 CHAMPION METHOD won his first two race starts approximately this time last year before losing all form in the midst of class 3 company.Fast forward to now, and he's back in the groove after blasting home from along way back to defeat LEAN MASTER at his most recent start.Hong Kong rider Karis Teetan shall hopefully be aware that they often go slower in these International Jockey events, and be looking to settle closer.

Selections : 3,8,10,9,4

Race 5

"LONGINES"
International Jockeys'
Championship - 2nd Leg

#3 VIVA CHALEUR arrived to Hong Kong from France G1 placed in the Prix Mornay at Deauville in 2021.The former Andre Fabre trained 2yo is still to fully acclimatise to the challenges of Hong Kong lifestyle but it was recently evident that he's getting there.His third placing over this course and trip last outing was the best he's gone in years, so considering his arrival rating of 82 and the fact Ryan Moore is aboard, I'm keen to jump on win/place.

#6 PRINCE ALEX has been a frustrating purchase for connections after arriving a highly progressive 3yo from Australia.After landing in Hong Kong on a rating of 75 points it's taken almost 4 seasons and a drop of 30 points to obtain his first win.Now confidence has arrived in his mind and he remains well rated another win could be imminent.Furthermore, with a nice cushy draw and James McDonald to ride, you'll be nervous in the run if you've left him out.

#4 JUMBO FORTUNE arrived a G3 winning 2yo from Australia but hasn't been able to reach those glowing heights.His only Hong Kong win came last season of a rating of 60points and he's currently 8 points lower than that right now.However, the stable change to David Eustace during the off season break has seen his consistency improve, so with Hugh Bowman to ride it would be advisable to include him in calculations.

#1 SURE JOYFUL is another potentially strong ride for Irishman Colin Keane and despite the top weight to carry could certainly pick up some points.He'll be hoping to slot in mid-field with cover and surge into the race late after concerning energy during the first half.The big weight, widish draw and career high rating mean he'll need a top class performance to win, but he can certainly be there for a minor piece of the prize.

#9 CHARMING STEED is first up for 6 months following a fairly prosperous end to his last campaign.A left fore cannon bone injury in August has slowed his return but his work at the Conghua training complex in China has been more than satisfactory.He's participated in two barrier trials along the way and appears to be moving comfortably, but he's probably worthy of taking on for the win first up.

Selections : 3,6,4,1,9

R6 - 1,10,4,5,2

Race 7

"LONGINES"
International Jockeys'
Championship - 3rd Leg

#10 SUPER UNICORN was the most impressive winner we've seen at Happy Valley this season after destroying the opposition over the 1650m in October.He's since followed that up with two honourable efforts in class 3 and it's inevitable that better is to come.With a light weight and inside barrier draw to leave from French ace MICKAEL BARZALONA is gifted with what genuinely appears to be the ride of the night.

#11 AESTHETICISM has completed all his race day wins at Sha Tin to this point but conversely has gone close at Happy Valley once or twice.It's a good pairing for champion hoop Zac Purton because they're extremely familiar with each via victories in the past.A win in the deeper depths of class 3 is still to be achieved, and there's been more than enough opportunities, however, it does appear that those at the bottom of the weights in this event are nicely placed.

#12 SOLEIL FIGHTER was forced to work overtime on the yielding track last time and subsequently tired out over the final and concluding stages.The effort prior, from a low draw, is the performance to rate him on as he got within a whisker of defeating the inform DARING PURSUIT.He's been poking around at the bottom of class 3 for a while now so from a good draw perhaps Hollie Doyle gets it done.

#6 DARING PURSUIT gains the services of one of the best active riders on the planet in RYAN MOORE, so you can feel confident mistakes won't be made.He's won his last couple, which included a win first up in this grade, and completed both processes with plenty in hand.He's a sizeable beast with bigger fish to fry but does he perhaps fall a fraction short, and victim, to an often lurking second up syndrome?

#8 JUMBO LEGEND has drawn his good mate Vincent Ho for the 3rd leg and ironically the pair combined to win their most recent start.That outstanding win was achieved when he steamed home from near last after being forced to settle back from the unhelpful draw.This time around, he draws low with an additional 5lbs to shoulder, which unfortunately reads as a demographic capable of shifting the result back around.

Selection : 10,11,12,6,8

Race 8

"LONGINES"
International Jockeys'
Championship - 4th Leg

#4 SUPER JOY N FUN appears one of the better win/place chance of the night but it's a desperately deep and fascinating contest to assess.With half the field winning their last start a faultless steer and touch of luck in running shall more than likely be the elements and recipe for success.With barrier 12 making it almost impossible for him to win his past two outings, the return to a favourable draw in gate 6 entitles him to the perfect trail.

#10 GIANT LEAP has all the vitals positioned in the right spot to successfully handle the transition from class 4 to 3.A low draw, a champion local jockey, a front runners profile and an 11lb relief at the weights are all at his beck and call.Nonetheless, he'll need to find an additional length on his average closing splits if he's to make it back to back.But, he'll almost certainly be saving maximum power during the run.

#2 GUSTOSISIMO took the wide alley out of play at his recent win by firing across the face of the field to lead all the way.The yielding track assisted his cause, once he found the lead, and it's expected he'll attempt that tactic again.The 6lb increase in weight and talented brigade of horses chasing shall test his range of depth, but trainer Tony Cruz deliberately built up his strength during the off season break which is evident by assessing his body weight.

#9 SPICY GOLD brought up a third consecutive win recently with a blistering final 400m over this course and trip to put the opposition away.The inform Mark Newnham stable have a number of exciting young talents coming through and this son of "SO YOU THINK"is in that bunch.Stepping into class 3 for the first time with unfamiliar Japanese rider YUGA KUWADA aboard creates and element of concern, but that doesn't mean he can't win again.

#3 KYRUS DRAGON is difficult to dismiss following an excellent return where he cut down GUSTOSISIMO in the final strides.However, it's been 7 weeks since that hard finishing burst although he has trialled quietly in the interim in Conghua.A big weight, new rider and potential traffic issues from the low draw may interrupt his finishing burst, but he nevertheless remains a runner that must be respectfully considered.

Selections : 4,10,2,9,3

R9 - 3,8,6,10,9