3 minute read

Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Happy Valley races.

Rail - C+3 Course

Race 1

#5 CHATEAU LE PECHE showed noticeable improvement at his first two starts this campaign by finding the line well behind JOYFUL PROSPERITY and KINGLY DEMEANOUR respectively.He then plugged away just honestly over 2200m most recently but the effort added another element of fitness to his profile.Now returning back to 1800m, and drawn better in gate 6, it's envisaged he'll trail with cover throughout the run.Jerry Chau had been working with him closely over the past 4 months and he now takes back the ride from Mr Poon.

#1 ME TIME has been extremely consistent without winning this preparation and both efforts have been here at Happy Valley over this trip.With race fitness reaching close to its top level, Zac Purton jumping aboard, a good draw and a drop into
class 5, it's more than likely he'll end up being to good.Conversely, he's only a little fellow who weighs in at approximately 1000lbs, so the heavy top weight he shoulders is a real chance of anchoring him down.

#2 GO GO GO has been in reasonable form all season which incorporated a solid win first up at Sha Tin.The assigned weight penalty has since suppressed his ability to close in with any real speed and therefore made it difficult to produce an additional win.However, connections have now taken up the option of booking 7lb claiming apprentice Ellis Wong which switches everything back around.

#3 SUPER HONG KONG had a poor previous season from a total of nine starts with just the one third placing registered.His three runs this season haven't been overly flattering but importantly he's now embedded in the easier grade of class 5.He's won off a rating as high as 52 points in the past so he's quite capable of being somewhere thereabouts, and there was certainly a sniff of improvement in his most recent of starts.

#11 SUNNY BABY was sent out at a big price first up and only found one better on the opening day of racing at Sha Tin.He got all the favours that afternoon before failing at his next three starts which included a run on the dirt.Tonight, he's drawn nicely down low for recently extended Australian jockey Ben Thompson, so I won't be surprised to see him run an improved race.

Selections : 5,1,2,3,11

R2 - 2,7,4,1,10

R3 - 10,2,8,5,1

R4 - 7,9,1,3,6

Race 5

#4 GLORY CLOUD was the beaten favourite last time out but it wasn't from a lack of ability or endeavour.Unfortunately, he pulled his way through the middle stages of the aforementioned event which cost him a length and ultimately the win.The draw in gate 9 looks somewhat tricky to read but there is forceable speed up ahead, so with cover in the run and a more chilled approach he can certainly close well enough to win.

#2 THE PERFECT MATCH won a race similar to this at the back end of last season and has plenty of scope and upside going forward.A lot didn't go his way first up in the race won by SMART FIGHTER but his closing 600m spilt was superb.He then pulled early after being bumped out the gates before racing wide around the home bend and into the straight.It was an ugly watch if you took the each way odds last start but he's capable of turning it around with a new jockey.

#11 GIMME FIVE has responded nicely to the application of blinkers at his past couple of runs and the low draw tonight might be the deciding factor.He looked ready to win following two runs back before a hefty bump, approaching the home bend, put him out of contention at a vital stage last start.Interestingly, the handicappers have only adjusted his rating by one point either way the past 6 months, which tells you they also feel he's on a mark where he can win.

#5 FATAL BLOW had shown signs of ability, and tactical versatility, prior to his race course debut where he was decisively ridden hard for early speed.With a run up his sleeve, he'll be physically and mentally advanced so a better finishing position is on the cards.What he does tactically and how he copes with it are the questionable factors, but at this early stage it's better he's in the tips than completely left out.

#9 SWEET DIAMOND hasn't fired so far this campaign but he'll be a runner at value to include.His form at then end of last season was solid after winning two races over this course and trip, and tonight he maps to receive everything he wants in the run.A recent trial on dirt saw him under a hold as they crossed the finishing line, so be weary of leaving him out.

Selections : 4,2,11,5,9

R6 - 8,5,3,1,9

R7 - 6,2,4,3,1

R8 - 2,11,6,4,7

R9 - 7,6,5,4,8