Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Happy Valley races.
Rail - C+3 Course
Race 1
#1 STORM RUNNER covered plenty of extra ground first up before finishing a short margin adrift of the winner.He then tried desperately hard to overhaul in form Hakka Radiance, with Zac Purton again on board, but narrowly went under.Now third up and drawn pole position he's perfectly placed to win his maiden, although, it's worth mentioning the only time he raced over this course and distance LEATHER MASTER defeated him by a decent margin.
#5 LEATHER MASTER thrashed a field similar to this last season over the Happy Valley 2200m so on credentials he's the horse they all have to beat.He then caught the eye at Sha Tin second up when making solid ground before finding traffic issues at Happy Valley last start.It's debatable as to whether he's racing as strongly this campaign but he should be given every opportunity by jockey Vincent to repeat the winning dose.
#4 WAH MAY WAI WAI was placed on two occasions in class 4 last season so he must be respected on that form.They didn't go fast enough for him during the first half of his opening run for the season, before making the pace himself out in front second up.With a wide draw to exit from he'll burn a little gas early to cross but I don't have any doubts he'll run the journey, so expect him to finish thereabouts.
#2 ROMANTIC FANTASY was a winner over this course and trip a few seasons back with that event conducted in class 4.He lead throughout to score on that occasion off a rating of fifty one points so he should be considered a chance.His three runs back this time in haven't been overly inspiring but a drop into the lowest grade with Hugh Bowman behind the wheel reads well.
#6 MR ALADDIN ran particularly well first up before starting favourite at his next run over the Sha Tin 1800m.He completed bombed the start on that occasion and was never a chance after those on pace fully dominated affairs.I'd forget he went around on the dirt two runs back before again missing the start last outing at Sha Tin.He's not the most reliable but capable if they go silly up front.
Selections : 1,5,4,2,6
R2 - 1,9,4,2,7
R3 - 5,2,9,11,1
R4 - 2,5,6,9,1
R5 - 2,1,8,3,4
R6 - 3,11,2,7,10
Race 7
#2 THUNDER PRINCE was stiff not to win a race in May before transferring to the stable of Jamie Richards in September.He was then taken back first up from a tricky draw before racing in a hood and crossover noseband last start.A flood of money then came for him second up but a checkered passage in the home stretch saw him fail by a whisker.Hugh Bowman saddles up again from the ideal draw in gate 2 and I'd envisage he'll be keen to make amends.
#1 CHARMING BABE is moving with purpose and motivation during his morning workouts and only recently dropped down a grade.Now in class 4, with a run under the belt, he's well positioned off the inside gate to position handy to the speed.He's a good looking type with plenty of improvement still come so I'd be surprised if he didn't run a strong race.
#12 INNO CENTURY tired over the final 100m first up but the effort was solid up until that point.Visiting Irish jockey Hollie Doyle now takes the reins and she's certainly accustomed to riding around Hong Kong's city track.His efforts behind HARMONY N HOME and GIANT LEAP early in the year, over this track and trip, would have him at the better end of this finish.
#9 REWARDING BUDDY made the most of a good draw last start and consequently notched up a minor pay cheque.It'll be trickier from a middle pin draw this time to secure a good position but I like the fact he's improving all the time.Jockey Derek Leung has invested plenty of time into furthering his education and the fact he sticks is a positive sign.
#11 CLUB ACE has done minimal this preparation from three starts but has drawn wide on each occasion.He finished second last season in a race at Sha Tin with his output on that occasion rating quite high.He's hard to tip with any great confidence but does map to enjoy a lovely trail.A potential inclusion at a price.
Selections : 2,1,12,9,11
R8 - 1,5,8,3,2
R9 - 12,2,5,3,10
