Hong Kong Racing
Happy Valley Preview - 10th December 2025
Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Happy Valley races.
"LONGINES"
INTERNATIONAL JOCKEYS'
CHAMPIONSHIP 2025
HAPPY VALLEY RACECOURSE
HONG KONG
"RIDERS/COUNTRY"
Mickael Barzalona FR
Hugh Bowman HK
William Buick UK
Hollie Doyle UK
Vincent Ho HK
Rachel King AUS
Christophe Lemaire JPN
James McDonald NZ
Ryan Moore UK
Joao Moreira BRZ
Zac Purton HK
Umberto Rispoli USA
"POINT ALLOCATION"
(Races - 4,5,7,8)
1st - 3 points
2nd - 2points
3rd - 1 point
"PRIZE MONEY" (HKD)
Winner - $600K
1st Runner Up - $250K
2nd Runner Up - $150K
Rail - A Course
R1 - 3,9,12,2,7
R2 - 6,1,5,2,12
R3 - 4,7,5,12,3
Race 4
"LONGINES"
INTERNATIONAL
JOCKEYS' CHAMPIONSHIP - 1st Leg
#8 BEAUTY THUNDER provides Zac Purton with a great opportunity to score points in the first leg after a dominant win here over this course and trip in late October. That night, the pace was blistering early but he was good enough to absorb through the first half before letting rip with a superior turn of foot over the final furlong. Furthermore, the champion jockey has had the benefit of taking him for a spin in the past so he's well aware of his suitability to this track via a quick moving daisy cutter action. With three of the four legs wide open a little home ground advantage wont go a stray, but be mindful, a plethora of early speed draws wide which shall make it a scrambling event.
#5 ZETA HEDGE displayed amazing gate speed on debut and led the opposition a merry dance through the first 300m.He then maintained his position as leader for the majority of the event until BEAUTY THUNDER powered out of the pack to burry him late.It was a fabulous debut, and if he steps cleanly he'll lead this also, despite the multiple speedsters that'll attempt to attack him from wider out.A poor lead in trial on the all weather however may create some hesitation, but I'm overlooking that effort and expect him to give a site.
#2 SUPER SIXTY draws wide and amongst a lot of the race speed but continues to hold his own at the top of the weights in class 4.He gives the impression he'll be quite competitive at the bottom of class 3, with a light weight, but to get there he'll need to win another race soon.He consistently breaks the 23.00 barrier for his closing 400m split and the booking of a rider who's won hundreds of races here can only be favourable.
#1 HEALTHY HEALTHY is closing in on veteran status but continues to race with enthusiasm and grit.He's been ultra competitive at all five starts this campaign with the first three conducted in the higher grade of class 3.With a touch of luck early, he'll be in the hunt out the gates before hopefully crossing down to find cover, although likely three wide.Nevertheless, with only one bend to navigate before turning for home he'll gain clear running down the middle of the track which is often the place to be when the rail is true.
#10 WINNING CHAMPION showed good closing speed at his first two attempts before connections rolled the dice late last season and pushed him hard.Since then, he's been unable to find any rhythm, comfort or continuity in his racing which has brought about varying results.He looked comfortable finding the line first up at Happy Valley over 1200m after being crowded out of the gates, and the jump and run approach of this contest wont allow him to think.
Selections : 8,5,2,1,10
Race 5
"LONGINES"
INTERNATIONAL
JOCKEYS' CHAMPIONSHIP - 2nd Leg
#3 CORLEONE has been a slow maturing International Sales Graduate but put together a tidy performance to win first up this campaign.Trainer Casper Fownes made the decision to put him away for 6months in late January and sent him to Conghua to physically grow and strengthen.During that period, he was kept to 3 months of daily swimming before being re-introduced to trotting and intermittent track work gallops.Two solid trials then put the icing on the cake before it all paid off fabulously well with a faultless hard running display a month ago.The standout horse to beat.
#6 AMAZING GAZE is the alternative up and comer who was unlucky not to win both first, and second up this campaign.Zac Purton then jumped aboard at his most recent outing and he was subsequently backed into even money favourite prior to the jump.It was all going to plan until he was knocked around during the hustle and bustle turning into the home straight, at which time he seemingly put the cue in the rack and just plugged away to the line.The cheek pieces now go on in an attempt to negate the loss of focus, as does International Jockeys' Championship winner from last year, Mickael Barzalona.
#12 ACE WAR looks capable of pick up a point or two for Australian Rachel King who'll follow up with two solid each way chances in legs 3 and 4.The former English galloper is well rated after winning two of four starts in his homeland and caught the eye against the grain last start.It was a slowly run race recently and he was the only runner to make an impression from the back after pulling hard during the first half.He should be able to hold a first-half position on the rail with the aid of the inside draw and that'll go along way to improving his finishing position.
#4 QUANTUM PATCH remains just a one time winner but has been a consistent contributor in class 4 company since his downgrade at the start of the season.He was given no chance of featuring last start after drawing wide in a slowly run race but still managed to work home powerfully final meters to grab second.A workable draw this time around along with what should be a solidly run race play to his strengths so he's best included amongst the hopes.
#10 YOUTH POWER arrived in Hong Kong rated 64 points following three wins in Italy as a 2yo.It's taken time to fully settle into the rigours of Hong Kong lifestyle, but it's fair to say he's put things together over the last six months racking up three wins.He remains nicely rated following four runs back this campaign and should be up there contesting the lead under Zac Purton, which is key to a positive result.
Selections : 3,6,12,4,10
R6 - 1,2,4,10,12
Race 7
"LONGINES"
INTERNATIONAL
JOCKEYS' CHAMPIONSHIP - 3rd Leg
#5 ANOTHER ZONDA should be at his peak going into this event fifth run back from a summer spell and must be given plenty of respect.He's often appeared a one dimensional type who prefers to lead but has become partially adaptable during efforts this campaign.The form out of the recent class 3, 1650m event won by SUPER UNICORN shall end up becoming solid reference, and this guy, along with FLYING FORTRESS, did plenty of the heavy lifting early on and were still there fighting hard to the end.
#2 FLYING FORTRESS, as just mentioned, displayed plenty of intestinal fortitude behind SUPER UNICORN at Happy Valley last start which was his first run this season at the city circuit.After winning his maiden comfortably in New Zealand, the son of SHAMEXPRESS continued building strength, whilst gaining race experience, and has now elevated his handicap rating to 75 points.How much further he can climb remains to be seen but he draws the right jockey, and barrier, to receive every conceivable chance in this challenging event.
#6 MAX QUE is the perplexing runner because he's yet to race at Happy Valley. Furthermore, when he trialed her in October 2024 he lost his action running through the 600m bend before eventually finishing tailed off.Granted, he's gained plenty of experience over the last 14 months and along the way racked up two polished victories at Sha Tin over 1400m.I've always been of the opinion he'll be better during the second half of a campaign, so with local ace jockey Vincent Ho behind the wheel, I'd be keeping him very safe.
#8 SAMARKAND appeared one of the better bets last time he raced and dually obliged in comfortable fashion after exiting from barrier one.Now back up in class, he's difficult to confidently recommend for the win but at the same time guaranteed to receive a cheap run on the fence.He's also capable of dealing with a fast constant speed which is the predicted environment he'll face.
#12 BEAUTY GLORY made the most of the low draw when returning to Happy Valley last start and got the win courtesy of a well rated ride.He now rises back up in class following the aforementioned all the way win and has previously won three races in this grade.He's a big bulky customer who'll appreciated the 10lb drop in weight and more than capable of holding a forward position to the line.
Selections : 5,2,6,8,12
Race 8
"LONGINES"
INTERNATIONAL
JOCKEYS'' CHAMPIONSHIP - 4th Leg
#5 ASHKAVANI was the narrowly beaten odds on favourite in a similar race last start but had genuine excuses when attempting to close off.He was held up between the 300-200m mark while jostling for a gap that didn't fully eventuate.It was also reported that he lost a right front plate during the run.Now drawn ideally for James McDonald in gate 6, he again stands out as the most likely winner pound for pound, however the above average depth of this closing contest is worthy of respect. Appears the banker option for multiples.
#9 MR DESIRA is building a nice record in the early stages of his career and there are no issues regarding his early gate speed.He literally blasted along from start to finish over the 1000m most recently and in the process gave nothing else a winning chance.The handicapper handed him a 9 point increase, which further highlights the performance, and now he elevates to the middle of class 3.A rise in trip, combined with a rise in class is renown for its challenging properties, but it's often more achievable when your out in front making your own luck.
#7 TRIUMPHANT MORE made a strong start to his career winning three of his first five starts including his debut here at Happy Valley over this course and trip.He's continued building strength and has now participated in four runs back this campaign.The effort at Happy Valley two back was a strong front running ploy, while his most recent run at Sha Tin was conservative early, before a strong finishing display.With tactical versatility now confirmed as part of his armour he's a dangerous runner to ignore, and with Ryan Moore the allocated rider it'll be a nervous watch if you leave him out.
#11 MIGHTY COMMANDER has returned to racing an improved individual this campaign and is ready to strongly compete for a class 3 win.In the past, he's tried twelve times to raise his game to class 3 level but struggled with the overall depth of opposition.Trainer Casper Fownes, in a changing tactic this preparation, has focused on the sprinting distance of 1200m opposed to the longer events over 1650m.After winning in class 4 first up he's ready to handle the task but a wide draw unfortunately means he'll require a stack of luck.
#2 POWER KOEPP enjoyed a fruitful season last campaign and has come back racing just as well.Trainer Mark Newnham extracted two wins from him as soon as he joined the stable and it certainly wouldn't surprise to see him find the frame again.Although he's highly rated and shoulders weight the early pace required to feature shall be supplied.
Selections : 5,9,7,11,2
R9 - 11,3,1,7,12
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