WINNO'S WINNERS: HAPPY VALLEY, APRIL 24, 2024
By Darren Winningham | Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Winno is on asignment for HRO ... reporting from Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Jockey Club races at the picturesque Happy Valley track on Wednesday in the lead up to the 2024 FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin.
We have had rain across the week – the track should be SLOW – however, with the forecast of more rain it could see the track deteriorate across the meeting.
The rail is in the normal position, and, at the time of writing, we are racing on a SLOW surface.
It is always a challenge to find a winner at this unique tight turning track – leaders, horses drawn well and now horses that like wet tracks – I have got my work cut out for me in this preview.
Well here goes!
Race 1
A Class 3 race to start off the program – over 1000 metres.
The top trainer and jockey combine here with Beauty Waves (1). Pierre Ng and Zac Purton paired a month ago to win a race at this track and distance with Beauty Waves when he was heavily backed and won easily. Looks well places again to get the job done.
Harmony Fire (4) led in the race that was won by Beauty Waves (1) and was run down late. Was only narrowly beaten and meets him better at the weights. Douglas Whyte trains this runner and C. Wong will ride again. Should ping the gates and go forward again in this small field.
Hugh Bowman rides Heroic Master (2) For Frankie Lor – has won on a wet track – keep safe.
The first starter in Hong Kong is Majestic Express (6) trained by John Size with Brenton Avdulla to ride. His trials in the lead up to the race have been solid.
Selections:
1 – Beauty Waves
4 – Harmony Fire
2 – Heroic Master
6 – Majestic Express
Race 2
A middle-distance race over 1800 metres at Class 5 level.
Casper Fownes is “King of the Valley” – he trains Loyal Ambition and Vincent Ho will be aboard. Drawn well in barrier 6, he raced over 2200 metres last start – did not see the trip out – back in distance looks ideally placed.
The runners down in the weights here may have a distinct advantage with the track being wet. Foxhunter Way (10) is trained by Francis Lui and Matthew Poon will ride. Always races midfield and with the light weight may be hard to run down on a yielding track.
Brother Pearl (11) is trained by Dennis Yip with Alexis Badel to ride. Still a maiden in HK after 17 starts – I just think on his recent runs he could pose a bold showing.
Circuit Elite (6) is trained by K Mo and Derek Leung will be in the saddle. Hit the front late here last time over this distance and was run down late in the shadow of the post. Has had a recent barrier trial since. Could show up here and must be respected on his last bold effort.
Selections:
7 – Loyal Ambition
6 – Circuit Elite
10 – Foxhunter Way
11 – Brother Pearl
Race 3
A sprint race over 1200 metres – this time at the Class 5 level.
David Hayes and Karis Teetan combine here with Mr Good Vibes (4) – let’s hope his name is a good omen to get a win! He has drawn barrier 1 and will race in behind the speed. Should be prominent throughout and able to let down late and win the race.
Sweet Diamond (7) has Harry Bentley riding for Ricky Yiu. In his past three starts on the track he has drawn barrier 10 or wider – basically no chance from out there. He is in barrier 5 for this run. He will ping the gates and sit near the lead – with any luck in running he should be right in the finish late.
Viva A La (9) won last time out here when he sat off the speed and sprinted late to run down the leaders. He goes up in weight – however, he has won a barrier trial a fortnight ago – looks ideally placed again in this grade.
Tactical Command is trained by Mark Newnham – who is having a superb first season in HK – now with an impressive 20 wins and HK$20 million in prizemoney. Zac Purton goes aboard, and he drops from Class 4 to Class 5 grade. Despite the huge weight he has drawn the best he has in recent starts. His past two starts he has drawn wide and been forced to go back in the running which is not his go – look for an improved effort.
Selections:
4 – Mr Good Vibes
7 – Sweet Diamond
9 – Viva A La
2 – Tactical Command
Rough chance – (3) Beau Gosse
Race 4
The jockeys will need luck here – this race is over 1000 metres at Class 4 grade.
I like one here down in the weights with Lyle Hewitson to ride for Frankie Lor – Georgious Vitality (11). This has some solid wet track form and has grabbed my attention. Has had a freshen up since his last run 5 weeks ago and a recent barrier trial to keep him ticking over. He has a great barrier – number 4. There is a lot to like about him in this grade with the light weight.
Sergeant Pepper (5) is trained by Y Tsui with C Wong riding. Raced over 1200 metres last time out – seemed not to finish off the race as he has done in the past – back in distance here looks well in.
Fortune Warrior (2) is a Pierre Ng runner with Karis Teetan to ride. Has drawn terribly in barrier 12 and I think that he is a better proposition over 1000 metres. He likes to race at speed and does get away fast from the barriers – they may have to use him up to get across the field.
Grand Nova (4) is a first starter in HK for the John Size yard. His recent trials have been better than what they appear on paper – Hugh Bowman will ride him in his debut in HK.
Selections:
11 – Gorgeous Vitality
5 – Sergeant Pepper
2 – Fortune Warrior
4 – Grand Nova
Race 5
The feature race of the evening is the Korean Racing Authority Trophy – Class 2 over 1000 metres.
There is one resuming here that has been trialing well and absolutely loves a wet track – – Humble Star (9) - trained by Pierre Ng and Karis Teetan will ride him at 52 kilograms He has a tremendous first up record – 6 starts and 3 wins and a placing. The weight, the barrier draw and the fact that he enjoys a wet track tick a few boxes for me.
Seasons Wit (4) is trained by Jamie Richards with Zac Purton to ride. These two are a lethal combination when they get together. This gelding seems to race better at Happy Valley rather than Sha Tin. Eight starts here for four wins and two seconds. Has drawn well in barrier 2 and will get the run of the race.
Majestic Knight (5) is a Douglas Whyte trained runner – Hugh Bowman will ride. Led last start and seemed to run out of condition. Will strip fitter for that effort. A recent barrier trial where he was not asked to do much - leaves him well placed here.
Whizz Kid (1) is a Tony Cruz runner with Harry Bentley aboard. Raced against Lucky Sweynesse last time out. Big weight, but back in grade looks well placed.
Selections:
9 – Humble Star
4 – Seasons Wit
5 – Majestic Knight
1 – Whizz Kid
Rough chance – (2) Duke Wai
Race 6
A race over 1650 metres – Class 4.
Well, this runner must be the best wet weather runner on the program winning on heavy and soft conditions previously. I Can (6) hopefully can win the race. Is a Pierre Ng runner with Andrea Atzeni to ride. Has drawn soft in barrier 2 and should get a nice run-in transit. His recent efforts have been over this distance, and he has struggled to get a look at them late.
Pegasus General (4) is trained by Jimmy Ting and has won on a heavy track previously. He has been racing over longer distances without luck. I think on a wet track with his form over longer distances it could prove beneficial late.
Can’t Go Wong (10) is trained by Frankie Lor and Alexis Badel will ride. He was impressive winning over this distance and track two starts ago. Drawn handy he will be hard to hold out.
Snowalot (2) could be a topical tip – ok the rain, not snow, being persistent since I arrived in HK. This runner is trained by David Hayes and Zac Purton will ride again. He won a month ago coming from the rear of the field and finishing the race off strongly. He has risen sharply in the weights for that win – it may be the factor that stops him late.
Selections:
6 – I Can
10 – Can’t Go Wong
4 – Pegasus General
2 – Snowalot
Race 7
A race over 1200 metres – Class 4.
Diamond Flare (4) is a Mark Newnham trained runner with Alexis Badel to ride. He likes to lead – and has had the apprentice on in his past two starts – now with a senior rider aboard he looks like he is ready to win. Barrier 5 is ideal, and he has won on a soft track – a great each way proposition.
Telecom Speed has the apprentice C Wong aboard. He is drawn poorly in barrier 11 and will need some luck. Has won here at the track and distance and does like wet tracks – keep safe.
Our Lucky Glory (2) is trained by W So and is a last start winner here over this distance. He has gone up in the ratings and the weight has increased as well. He has run well on soft tracks previously. Barrier 2 is a tremendous help, and he should be prominent throughout in the running.
Glory Cloud (7) is trained by Casper Fownes. Has drawn poorly in his past few starts here, and they have been forced to go back. Barrier 9 this week – Hugh Bowman to ride - he may get a better run-in transit and turn his form around.
Golden Luck (3) is not without some each way chance.
Selections:
4 – Diamond Flare
2 – Our Lucky Glory
1 – Telecom Speed
7 – Glory Cloud
Rough chance – (3) Golden Luck
Race 8
A Class 4 race over 1200 metres.
High Percentage (4) is a last start winner here for trainer T Yung – Zac Purton will ride again. Was given an amazing ride last time out to win – he goes up in weight – but in saying that his time was great in his last start win and he has a solid barrier draw – barrier 4 – will be hard to toss.
The Perfect Match (5) made his debut in HK for Danny Shum last time out over 1000 metres at Sha Tin. Purton rode him on that occasion – he got too far back - however, he finished off the race as if he was looking for a longer distance. He gets that opportunity here – just some concerns with him being back in the field. Jerry Chau will ride, and I just hope he peels out wide late and gets a crack at them late!
Mr Valiant (6) is a David Hall runner with Brenton Avdulla aboard. Loves a soft track – 2 starts for 2 wins. Just has a poor barrier in barrier 12 and will need some luck from out there.
Golden Long (1) has dropped back from a Class 3 level last start to the lesser grade. Derek Leung will ride for Frankie Lor. Despite the large weight he has plenty of ability and barrier 3 should ensure he gets the perfect run throughout.
Selections:
4 – High Percentage
5 – The Perfect Match
6 – Mr Valiant
1 – Golden Long
Rough chance – (10) So Awesome
Race 9
A Class 3 over 1800 metres.
Casper Fownes is looking to win the last race with Noble Pursuit (3). He got too far out of his ground last time out before thundering home over 1650 metres. On that run the longer distance, and drawn barrier 1, would suggest that Andrea Atzeni will have him prominent throughout and he will be hard to hold out.
Flamingo Trillion (9) is trained by Frankie Lor and Derek Leung will ride. He raced over 2000 metres at his latest run and was handy throughout. He seems to appreciate this Happy Valley track – this is where his best performances have been. I think that as he has drawn midfield in barrier 7 and should be able to get a nice run-in transit.
Eighteen Palms (4) is trained by Danny Shum and Alexis Badel will ride. Has been racing without luck over 1650 metres here for his past four starts – just seems not to have had much luck in the straight late. Maybe the extra distance and the nice barrier will see him right in this late.
Affordable (8) is worth an each way ticket with the Aussie connection of David Hayes and Ben Thompson combining. I think he will be huge odds, however, in saying that he has solid form on wet tracks. By the last race it could be messy if this rain does not cease. Just a roughie to throw into the mix.
Selections:
9 – Flamingo Trillion
3 – Noble Pursuit
4 – Eighteen Palms
8 – Affordable
Rough chance – (6) Devildom
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Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)
6,7,10 / 2,4,7,9 / 2,5,11 / 4,5,9 - cost is $108 to $1
Value Early Quaddie (races to 5)
6,7 / 4,7 / 2,5,11 / 4,5,9 - cost is $36 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
2,4,6,10 / 1,2,4,7 / 1,4,5,6 / 3,4,8,9 - cost is $256 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
4,6,10 / 1,2,4 / 4,5,6 / 3,9 - cost is $54 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
1,2,4,7 / 1,4,5,6 / 3,4,8,9 - cost is $64 to $1
SUPER 6 (HK only races 4 to 9)
5,11 / 4,9 / 6,10 / 2,4 / 4,5 / 3,9 - cost is $64 to $1
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