Hong Kong Racing
Happy Valley Preview - 14th May 2025
Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Happy Valley races.
Rail - B Course
Race 1
#6 TRADITION has gone close to notching up his first career win on multiple occasions over the past few months and tonight is another golden opportunity. Completely forget his run on the all weather two start back after he covered ground throughout and go with his strong effort at this track last start. He maps to secure the perfect trail one of the fence with cover and the rise up in distance to 1800m shall suit his one paced grinding style.
#9 YEABOI returns to racing on the Happy Valley turf following a stack of competitive performances recently on the Sha Tin dirt. He's a noted back marker with a reliable turn of foot and proven over the rising distance of 1800m. The tempo appears on the slow side here which is likely to make it hard to close, but, in class 5 they often go helter skelter through the first half in an attempt to establish a lucrative forward position.
#8 MR ALADDIN hasn't had much joy with barrier draws of late and nothing changes after he again drew gate 11. Nonetheless, his effort in defeat recently was an excellent display of strength and courage and the market fluctuations late in betting suggested he would run well. With conditions almost identical and the same rider in Hugh Bowman aboard I'd expect another competent display, but he shall need some luck.
#10 LEATHER MASTER began improving on the training track during the earlier months of the year and subsequently followed up with his first career win. He remains in class 5 following the aforementioned win but does carry additional weight, whilst the draw is also challenging in gate 12. Nevertheless, he overcame the odds to win last start courtesy of his faultless and reliable gate speed, so it's not impossible to see him produce another good performance.
#3 FLYING SILVER should be given the run of the race according to the speed maps and that'll create a recipe to feature. Zac Purton also jumps on at his second run back in class 5 and the pair have had success in the past. With four wins over this course and trip already recorded, three of which came in the higher grade, he's a runner to fully respect especially now he's drawn a gate.
Selections : 6,9,8,10,3
R2 - 4,7,1,5,2
Race 3
#2 SURE JOYFUL has been scratching around with consistency at the bottom of class 3 for most of the season and must be entertained from a low draw. He's a two time winner over this course and distance, and in this easiest grade, which rates him a genuine winning prospect on career statistics. Throw into the mix the likely high race speed he requires to close off and his chances are substantially enhanced.
#5 MIDORI FUJI has taken time settling into the groove of Hong Kong lifestyle but is now starting to make his mark. The former Australian showed off his above average ability by winning a maiden at Nowra by six lenghts. There now appears plenty still to come since he's starting to produce, although, where he ends up in the run from the outside draw shall decide his fate.
#1 SUNDAY'S SERENADE has made the most of his two trips to the bright lights of Happy Valley by getting the money in good fashion on both occasions. With a weight increase of 7lbs and a very tricky gate to exit from a perfect ride shall be required for him to reach the hat-trick. Conversely, most opponents tonight appear somewhat inferior to those he competed against last start which should confirm his attendance in the finish.
#12 COURIER MAGIC has been searching for a drop into class 5 for sometime but he keeps running well enough to hold a formidable rating. He'll be a near on certainty if he gets the drop but in the meantime remains a runner to include for the exotics. The blinkers coming off is another positive alongside his name because he often gets fizzy and then over races.
#4 OUR LUCKY GLORY found his way back into class 4 at the start of January and this is his level to win. He went awfully close three runs back over the 1200m and that performance clearly highlighted his readiness to win. As it stands, his winning statistics over the extended journey of 1650m say he's up against the wall, but be mindful of his presence because he's going better than his recent form suggests.
Selections : 2,5,1,12,4
R4 - 2,5,4,3,1
R5 - 1,11,4,3,9
R6 - 9,8,7,1,11
R7 - 7,4,3,10,6
R8 - 3,8,1,2,10
R9 - 3,2,10,4,6
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