WINNO'S WINNERS: HAPPY VALLEY, APRIL 26, 2023
By Darren Winningham | Wednesday, April 26, 2023
There is no just better place to spend a midweek night other than HAPPY VALLEY racecourse - an absolutely spectacular racetrack in the middle of Hong Kong island.
A great night out racing and a must experience event when you come to Hong Kong.
The track is rated ‘good’ and the rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.
Nine races to bet on – here we go!
Race 1
Class 5 over 1650 metres.
A few runners coming back from Class 4 to this Class 5 race – they must contend with some massive weights.
I like one down in the weights with Matthew Chadwick to ride – Hang’s Choice. Look he is still a maiden but his recent effort at Sha Tin would suggest that he is ready to win.
Angels Hunter (8) has drawn well and should race handy for Jerry Chau. He seems to race better when drawn closer in. He looks well placed and should be competitive.
The two dropping in grade are Theta Hedge (4) and Happy Jai Jai (1) - they could run bold races in this easier grade.
Selections:
10 – Hang’s Choice
8 – Angels Hunter
4 – Theta Hedge
1 – Happy Jai Jai
Race 2
Large field over 1200 metres at Class 4 level.
Mr Valiant (4) will be ridden by Silvestre De Sousa – forget his last run when he drew barrier 12 and had no chance. This week he has drawn the rails – barrier 1 – will take up a forward position and will be difficult to beat at good odds.
Melbourne Hall (8) is trained by David Hall and Luke Ferraris will ride. Two starts ago won here when he drew a barrier. Last time out was coming from barrier 10 – got pratted wide and never got in the race. Barrier 3 should see him forward and a winning chance.
Snowalot (9) is trained by David Hayes and has Lyle Hewitson aboard. Has solid form on this track. Barrier 2 should suit. He did play up behind the barriers at his last start – a little freshen up – should be in the finish.
Selections:
4 – Mr Valiant
8 – Melbourne Hall
9 – Snowalot
3 – King Eccellente
Rough chance – (5) Kasi Farasi
Race 3
Class 4 over 1200 metres.
Timestorm (8) is the way to go here with Matthew Chadwick riding for David Hall. Drew barrier 12 last time out here – worked across the field – took the lead and tired late. Barrier 4 this week permits him to be ridden quieter and not used up early – a great chance for mine.
Telecom Speed (6) with Karis Teetan riding looks an obvious danger. Has drawn wide in his past two starts and really had no luck. Barrier 2 should enable him to get a cosy run in behind the leaders and finish off strong.
Cheong Fat (10) is another runner with no luck in recent barrier draws – maybe a rough chance from barrier 3 with Anthony Hamelin to ride.
Selections:
8 – Timestorm
6 – Telecom Speed
10 – Cheong Fat
5 – See U Again
Race 4
Class 4 over 1650 metres.
Gang Of Brothers (1) has won his past two starts here over the distance – he has led each time from great barriers. This week he has drawn barrier 9 and will carry an increased weight – I think you can lay him here – Alex Badel will ride again as he looks for a hat trick of wins.
Romantic Laos is trained by Jamie Richards and Zac Purton will ride again after a solid win last time out at Sha Tin. He will get back and will need some luck in the straight.
Kyrus Unicorn (5) has raced his last two starts over 1800 metres at Sha Tin. I do not believe that he runs out this distance and, back to 1650 metres, I think he may be more competitive. Alfred Ak Chan will ride and his 2.5-kilogram claim will be beneficial.
River Views (6) hasn’t fared well at the barrier draw – barrier 10 here. He got wide last start – there appears to be enough speed to separate the field here – he may get in and be a rough chance.
Selections:
4 – Romantic Laos
1 – Gang Of Brothers
5 – Kyrus Unicorn
6 – River Views
Rough chance – (7) V Chevaliers
Race 5
Sprint race over 1000 metres at Class 4.
Ace Talent (10) is trained by Casper Fownes – he has a tremendous record at this Happy Valley track – his horses just seem to thrive here – Alexis Badel will ride. Ace Talent is still a maiden – but his last start when he drew wide and pushed forward and still managed to finish off the race was impressive. Has finally drawn a respectable barrier this week – barrier 5 – look for a bold effort.
King Invincible (7) is a new runner to Hong Kong from the Frankie Lor yards. His first up effort at Sha Tin was enormous. He looks like he may like to settle back in the field – that may be the only issue here. Karis Teetan retains the ride – his sectionals last time out would suggest that he is right in this race.
Pachisi (6) has Jamie Richards and Zac Purton looking for wins in consecutive races. He has been costly to punters in his recent starts – well supported and possibly disappointing. He has had a freshen up and a recent trial – barrier 10 is a major concern for me.
Momentum Galaxy (8) is trained by Jimmy Ting and has Derek Leung aboard – a consistent winner and place getter on this track – I just had to put him in.
Selections:
10 – Ace Talent
7 – King Invincible
6 – Pachisi
8 – Momentum Galaxy
Rough chance – (1) Amazing Rocky
Race 6
First leg of the Quaddie – Class 3 over 1800 metres.
I think there will be some solid tempo with Young Brilliant (10) from the C Yip stables going forward – V Borges will ride. Drawn Barrier 10 – will get across and take up the lead and set a solid speed.
La City Blanche (3) is trained by Tony Cruz and Zac Purton will ride. Normally gets back in his races – however, from barrier 2 and the solid tempo I expect him to be a few pairs back in the running.
Majestic Victory (6) is the stablemate – Vincent Ho will ride. Barrier 11 may be a challenge but may fill a place.
The danger looks like Satirical Glory (8) from the David Hayes yards who loves to jump and run. Silvestre De Sousa rides him for the first time. Two starts ago he led them up and just got run down on the line at this distance. He will probably trail the likely leader – it will be interesting to see how he settles – not having to lead.
Savvy Kingdom (4) is trained by Frankie Lor and Matthew Chadwick will ride. Last time out raced over the mile – the extra distance will assist.
Selections:
3 – La City Blanche
8 – Satirical Glory
4 – Savvy Kingdom
6 – Majestic Victory
Rough chance – (10) Young Brilliant
Race 7
The first leg of the treble – Class 3 – 1200 metres.
Son Pak Fu (6) looks for four wins in a row at this track and distance. Jerry Chau retains the ride, and his 1-kilogram claim may prove beneficial late in the race. His previous wins have been in Class 4 races. He steps up in grade – down in weight and draws well – he could just remain on his winning ways.
Jumbo Fortune (2) is now trained by Pierre Ng – resumed after a 13 week freshen up and a change in stables with a solid effort here over 1200 metres. They took him back from the wide barrier last time – look for Vincent Ho to be more positive from barrier 5 and take up a forward position.
Juneau Flash (11) is trained by John Size and Karis Teetan will ride. Has had a seven week freshen up – in between a few barrier trials – if he had drawn better, other than barrier 9, I would have declared him in this race. He is down in the weights – I expect a huge effort here.
Jumbo Legend (8) has a solid record at the track. Drawn poorly last start here and had to go back. Drawn barrier 1 – looks for a more positive ride and he should take up a forward position. Luke Currie will ride.
Selections:
2 – Jumbo Fortune
11 – Juneau Flash
6 – Son Pak Fu
8 – Jumbo Legend
Rough chance – (10) Cobhfield
Race 8
Class 3 over 1000 metres.
Tough, even field here. Zac Purton and Jamie Richards – can they land a treble at Happy Valley with Seasons Wit (7)? Has had one look at this track and was a gallant second – then didn’t fire at Sha Tin – there were excuses. A superb barrier trial a fortnight ago – but he has drawn barrier 10 – that may be a problem!
Harmony Fire (9) is trained by Douglas Whyte and Anthony Hamelin will ride him. He has a habit of racing well when drawn well – he gets that in this race with barrier 1. In His previous start he drew barrier 12 – pushed up – got caught wide and tired. Drawn perfectly here I think he could win at a decent price.
Lightning Storm (5) has a great record at this track. Has drawn barrier 9 and will need to go forward. He did step up to this grade last time after winning in Class 4. The class rise may be a problem as well.
California Deeply (1) with Matthew Chadwick aboard gets back in his races and flies home – not the perfect scenario for this track – he has the class to win this race, just the weight and the draw are an issue.
Selections:
9 – Harmony Fire
7 – Seasons Wit
5 – Lightning Storm
1 – California Deeply
Rough chances – (6) Harmony N Blessed
Race 9
Well, it is the last race! A Class 2 over 1200 metres.
Howdeepisyourlove (7) is trained by John Size and Karis Teetan will ride. He posted two consecutive wins here before racing at Sha Tin last time out. Back to a track where he has a wonderful strike rate he must not be overlooked. Barrier 5 as well will assist him in getting the task done.
Eason (9) is a Frankie Lor runner down in the weights with Matthew Poon riding. Another runner with a great strike rate on this track with 7 starts for 3 wins and 2 seconds. He won last time out here at Class 3 level carrying 61 kilograms – down in the weights and up in grade he, looks well placed.
Rewarding Together (1) is the stable mate – with Alexis Badel to ride. He has been racing in Class 1 and Open grade. They drop him back to this Class 2 race – has a massive 61 kilograms to lump – but he has much better form than this lot. Barrier 10 may be an issue – however, he is not one to push forward and will settle midfield before finishing the race off strongly.
Rock Ya Heart (10) has drawn the rails – hasn’t won in a while – but runs consistently great races here – should be in the finish. Dylan Mo will ride.
Selections:
7 – Howdeepisyourlove
9 – Eason
1 – Rewarding Together
10 – Rock Ya Heart
Rough chance – (5) Astrologer
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Jockeys Challenge
On paper Zac Purton wins – but maybe have something sly on Karis Teetan and Alexis Badel who both have a solid book of rides to upset the Hong Kong premier rider.
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
3,4,6,8 / 2,6,8,11 / 1,5,7,9 / 1,7,9 - cost is $192 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
3,8 / 2,6,11 / 5,7,9 / 1,7,9 - cost is $54 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
2,6,8,11 / 1,5,7,9 / 1,7,9 - cost is $48 $to $1.
After this, we are all set for the 2023 FWD Champion’s Day to be held at Sha Tin Sunday.
Hope to see you there.
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