Hong Kong Racing
Happy Valley Preview - 19th November 2025
Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Happy Valley races.
With the 2025 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races - Turf World Championships only 24 days away racing at Sha Tin, this Sunday, see's the running of the final lead up events for local stars and potential qualifiers.All three G2 events are to be competed for under the set weights and penalties scale with the standout runners listed below.
Gp2 Jockey Club Sprint - 1200m"KA YING RISING"128lbs
Gp2 Jockey Club Mile - 1600m"MY WISH"123lbs
Gp2 Jockey Club Cup - 2000m"ROMANTIC WARRIOR"128lbs
It's a 10 race card with official fields and barrier draws released tomorrow morning via the HKJC website. www.hkjc.com
Happy Valley
Rail - B Course
R1 - 7,1,4,2,11
R2 - 4,1,2,3,12
R3 - 3,6,8,9,10
R4 - 1,4,7,8,6
R5 - 2,3,1,8,5
Race 6
#7 EXCEED THE WISH has continued building strength this season with his excellent closing 2nd place in October a career high rating peak.He was unable to follow up with the same level of performance last start but that was primarily due to physically overheating on the way to the start.The early speed here should be strong, which'll further enhance his ability to chase hard through the final meters.
#2 WINNING CHAMPION showed good closing speed at his first two attempts before connections rolled the dice late last season and pushed him hard.He was unable to burn the candle at both ends on that occasion following the initial serge and consequently weakened out.He looked comfortable finding the line first up where he was also ridden for speed and is an interesting runner making his debut at Happy Valley.Is good enough to win.
#1 HEALTHY HEALTHY is closing in on veteran status but continues to race with enthusiasm and grit.He'll need to scurry early if he's to cross the face of the field from the wide draw but his record implies he can.He's been ultra competitive at all four starts this campaign with three conducted in the higher grade of class 3.With a touch of luck early on he'll be in the hunt at the end.
#10 NEBRASKAN remains a Hong Kong maiden after 24 starts but he's as close as he's ever been to cracking it for a win.Drawn nicely in gate 5, he'll be given every opportunity to settle handy in the run or potentially even take up the lead.It's a race of multiple winning chances but with a good start and minimal mistakes he's capable of finishing high up the scale.
#9 VON BAER arrived from England a consistent two time winner with a handicap rating of 66 points.Now rated 43 points, he's finally putting together the sort of effort that warrants respect and is close to a Hong Kong win.Karis Teetan now takes over the steering from apprentice Ellis Wong which means he'll carry more weight, but experience behind the wheel can off-set the pounds.
Selections : 7,1,2,10,9
Race 7
#3 SUNDAY SERENADE has made solid headway in all four runs this campaign and clearly has his hoof on the til.The option 3rd up to return to this distance, and venue, of his two previous wins was significant, as was the booking of 7lb claimer Brittany Wong last start.He's likely to give YOUTH POWER and a few others a decent head start, but should hunt them down one by one with a solid serge in the home stretch.
#7 SMART CITY raced handy to the speed when winning a similar class 4 contest at the end of last season.He was kept to light track work and swimming leading into his October return before again drawing poorly 2nd up.He's now drawn ideally in gate 1, with James McDonald to ride, and together that should create an opportunity to box seat during the important first half.
#10 YOUTH POWER arrived to Hong Kong off a rating of 64 points following three wins in Italy as a 2yo.It's taken time for him to fully settle but he's gradually putting things together with a couple of honest gritty performances.He remains nicely rated following three runs back this campaign and should be finding the lead, which is key to his focus and getting the job done.
#4 NORTHERN BEAST is in commission following three solid hit-outs this time in and draws favourable for Zac Purton.His overall record at Happy Valley reads terrific, with three career wins in this class, and importantly also over this distance.He'll need to lift his output level on what he produced last time out, but his training recently at Conghua, and lead up trial, strongly hints that he can.
#1 TOP TIME is racing well and has all the requirements to win but the wide draw and top weight shall be a formidable combination to override.You'd imagine, a quiet ride for luck by jockey Keegan De Melo is the best option, but even then, a strong tempo is necessary for him to produce his best work and get into the finish.
Selections : 3,7,10,4,1
R8 - 3,5,10,1,6
R9 - 10,3,7,2,11
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