Hong Kong Racing
Happy Valley Preview - 7th January 2026
Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Happy Valley races.
Rail - A Course
Race 1
#3 STORM RUNNER covered plenty of extra ground recently over the 2200m before finishing a short margin adrift of the winner. He's tried desperately hard this season, over varying distances, to notch up his first win but narrowly gone under on multiple occasions. With a low favourable draw to exit from this time around and the unprecedented loyalty of Zac Purton remaining in the saddle, surely, he final breaks the ice.
#10 GOLD TACK broke his maiden status at the end of last season after initially sharing the led over the 1800m at Sha Tin. He endured plenty of swimming during the off-season break before trialing fairly on two occasions leading into his resumption. Now he's competed on four occasions this preparation fitness is finally confirmed, so from the economical position expected in running he's granted another opportunity to win.
#9 WAH MAY WAI WAI was placed on two occasions in class 4 last season so he must be respected on that form alone. He profiles much better here coming back in trip to 1800m and the low draw entitles him to push up strongly through the first 300m to probably lead. With fitness now at its optimum level following two efforts over the 2200m earlier this campaign I'd expect him to stick on better.
#5 SUPER SICARIO won a 1650m class 5 in good fashion early in the season and was then placed in class 4 at his following start. Now back in this lowest class, he's again ready to win and the wide draw maybe to his advantage. The longer run down the Happy Valley home stretch over the 1800m shall allow him to position comfortable on speed, from there he'll run a bold race.
#12 LEATHER MASTER thrashed a field similar to this last season over the Happy Valley 2200m so on credentials he's worthy of consideration. It's debatable as to whether he's racing as good this campaign but he'll be given every opportunity by local rider Vincent Ho, especially from the ground saving draw.
Selections : 3,10,9,5,12
R2 - 6,3,9,7,1
R3 - 12,2,4,7,11
R4 - 7,2,12,4,11
R5 - 1,5,6,7,10
R6 - 2,4,8,9,1
R7 - 2,9,5,1,7
R8 - 3,1,4,2,11
Race 9
#7 CORLEONE has been a slow maturing proposition for connections but has finally put it all together. Trainer Casper Fownes made the decision to put him away for six months in late January 2025 and it's paying hefty dividends. Two solid trials, before back to back wins in class 4 at the commencement of this campaign have now elevated him into class 3, and he's a very good chance of measure up.
#9 ROMANTIC LOAS becomes an interesting runner now he's drawn a low gate and he's going better than recent form would suggest. His last win came about in a similar race to this in December 2024 where he drew barrier 3 before box seating behind the speed. That win, also came off a rating 5 points higher than his current mark here tonight so be weary of dismissing him to soon.
#11 SOLID WIN won in nice fashion first up before the rise into class 3 company initially sorted him out. Trainer Ricky Yui has since transferred his assignments to the slightly easier option of the Happy Valley 1650m and he's cope with the adjustment quite well. An awkward beginning from the wide alley became to bigger obstacle last start but he can turn that result around from the better draw.
#1 A AMERIC TE SPECSO has been racing well all season and the right conditions, combined with a faultless ride, brought about a deserved win last start. The change of rider and top weight tonight reduce the probability of another win, but, the race does possess the potential for some mid-race speed. He remains well enough handicapped to still be in the hunt so he can't be fully dismissed just yet.
#10 FANTASTIC FUN put together two decent wins late last year and has since been dealt horror barriers. Nevertheless, both recent performances up in grade have rated well so I'd be including him amongst the each way chances this time around. The lower draw is the obvious key to a better run in transit, however, the record established this season between jockey Karis Teetan, and trainer Danny Shum, should be acknowledged.
Selections : 7,9,11,1,10
Check out the latest Sydney News