Selections and analysis for Wednesday's (06/11/24) 9-race fixture at Happy Valley.
Race 1: #4 Urban Triumph, #1 Fairy Horse, #3 Country Dancer, #10 Rattan World
Race 2: #10 The Good Deal, #8 Ho Ho Star, #3 Winning Heart, #1 Joyful Life
Race 3: #5 Speedy Chariot, #1 Super Elite, #6 Super Eagle, #4 Same To You
Race 4: #1 Galvanic, #2 Northern Beast, #6 Kimberley, #10 Prince Alex
Race 5: #4 Storming Dragon, #3 Lean Master, #10 Dragon Air Force, #2 Mighty Commander
Race 6: #8 Yee Cheong Spirit, #5 Giant Leap, #7 Happy Trio, #1 Gallant Valour
Race 7: #4 Illuminous, #5 Chain Of Gold, #1 Noble Pursuit, #10 Red Majesty
Race 8: #1 Full Credit, #10 Aurora Lady, #4 Chateauneuf, #3 Nordic Dragon
Race 9: #6 Chill Chibi, #8 Keefy, #7 Flamingo Trillion, #3 Woodfire Bro
Race 1 - TAI LAM CHUNG HANDICAP
#4 Urban Triumph plops into Class 5 and brings solid Class 4 form into a race of this level. He draws well and should settle closer in the run compared to last start, where he was strong late after being well back. #1 Fairy Horse is another class-dropper, and Caspar Fownes combines with Hugh Bowman. Blinkers go on for the first time, and it will be intriguing to see how he jumps here after bounding out in them during a recent trial. #3 Country Dancer had excuses as the market elect in his first Class 5 attempt last start. Barrier 9 is less ideal than his previous draw of 3, but he is nearing a win and Zac Purton remains in the plate. #10 Rattan World benefits from barrier 1, and third-up off a strong second-place finish, he looks primed to perform well if he can capitalise early on his inside gate.
Race 2 - TAI LAM CHUNG HANDICAP
#10 The Good Deal presents as an interesting prospect, as Zac Purton teams up with Douglas Whyte on this seven-year-old. From barrier 1, he's set for a cleaner run after a troubled trip last start, where he lost ground early and remained at the back. #8 Ho Ho Star might offer value after being the favourite in his last two runs with Purton; now with Brenton Avdulla aboard from barrier 4, he'll enjoy a more favourable draw than the wide gate he had at Sha Tin last start. #3 Winning Heart raced wide without cover in his Class 5 debut but should benefit from barrier 2 this time. #1 Joyful Life has shown promise since dropping in class and, though a late check last start dashed his chances, he should rebound here.
Race 3 - TAI LAM CHUNG HANDICAP
#5 Speedy Chariot had no luck whatsoever from barrier 12 last start, so his 11th-place finish can be safely disregarded. Now drawn in barrier 2, he looks primed to break through for his maiden win. #1 Super Elite also benefits from a low draw in gate 3, reuniting with Hugh Bowman, who holds a strong record on this five-year-old. #6 Super Eagle has been running on well from wide draws in his last two starts, performing better than his form suggests. Drawing barrier 4 this time, he should have every chance to show his best. #4 Same To You can make the most of barrier 1, likely securing a favourable on-pace position.
Race 4 - SHEK PIK HANDICAP
#1 Galvanic was disappointing last start on his return to Class 4, weakening in the straight. He's since been sent back to the trials, where he looked well, and barrier 2 here should see him map ideally. He can atone. #2 Northern Beast reunites with Zac Purton from barrier 1 and should prove a leading chance after a tough run from barrier 11 last start. He checks plenty of boxes. #6 Kimberley had no luck last time, being held up from the 200m until passing the 100m; Hugh Bowman now takes the ride from barrier 4, which will spark improvement. #10 Prince Alex has been racing well without a win this preparation and remains in solid form.
Race 5 - THE AMERICAN CLUB CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP)
#4 Storming Dragon stands out on form after back-to-back second-place finishes behind in-form types like Spicy Gold and Sugar Ball, who won again on Sunday. Though the stable's form could be better, this four-year-old will get every chance from barrier 2 under Zac Purton. #3 Lean Master will appreciate being second-up with match fitness on his side, and this time benefits from a low draw, unlike last start; he's also trialled well in between runs. #10 Dragon Air Force has shown strong improvement at the trials since his last run and is expected to progress with more race experience. #2 Mighty Commander looks a prime candidate to follow, now dropping into Class 4. Caspar Fownes has called upon Hugh Bowman for this class-dropper, which bodes well for his chances.
Race 6 - TAI TAM HANDICAP
#8 Yee Cheong Spirit put in a strong effort to finish third from barrier 12 last start and now benefits from a low draw in barrier 1, giving jockey Vincent Ho the chance to position him more prominently. His recent trial was impressive, suggesting he's primed to strike on his fourth attempt. #5 Giant Leap gets blinkers back on—his proven headgear—and a return to Happy Valley along with barrier 4 will bring out the best in him. #7 Happy Trio has trialled nicely between races and should thrive from barrier 3, which complements his on-pace style. #1 Gallant Valour is coming off a win and has been a consistent performer overall. Chance again.
Race 7 - SHEK LEI PUI HANDICAP
#4 Illuminous has done all his racing at Sha Tin to date, so this will be his first test at the city circuit. His Sha Tin form holds up well for a contest of this calibre, and he's been edging closer to a win. #5 Chain Of Gold steps up to 1800m for the first time, reuniting with Zac Purton, and should make use of his low draw in gate 2 as he seeks a second local win on his 11th attempt. #1 Noble Pursuit had every opportunity to make it back-to-back wins last time but only managed fourth; he gets a shot at redemption here, though the shift to an apprentice rider poses a question. #10 Red Majesty is difficult to ignore in his current form, coming into this off a ten-day turnaround following a brave runner-up finish over this course and distance.
Race 8 - PLOVER COVE HANDICAP
#1 Full Credit will look to take up the running as he drops back into Class 3 and, from barrier 1, he'll be tough to catch. #10 Aurora Lady was a dominant winner in Class 4 last start, but this is a tougher task. With upside on his side, however, and a fair draw, he should map better compared to some of his other fancied rivals. #4 Chateauneuf aims for back-to-back wins at this course and distance after a convincing victory in this class last time, although the challenge will be greater from gate 10. #3 Nordic Dragon could benefit from positioning closer to the pace to sharpen his winning prospects; he's in good form but has found himself too far back from wide draws lately and faces another challenge here from gate 9.
Race 9 - HIGH ISLAND HANDICAP
#6 Chill Chibi has an excellent jockey booking with Zac Purton aboard, which should boost his chances, especially if he can settle closer than in recent races where his position cost him wins. With good speed engaged, he looks poised to return to winning form. #8 Keefy benefits from a low draw and has been finishing up close lately, though he covered extra ground last time. He shapes up as a knockout chance here. #7 Flamingo Trillion put in a gallant second to Woodfire Bro first-up; though better suited to 1800m, he should still be a key contender here. #3 Woodfire Bro is chasing a hat-trick of wins and finds a race that should suit his style perfectly to be in the mix again.
