HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, January 18, 2023)

Race 1: #4 Glorious Lover, #3 Concerto, #2 Blustitch, #9 Fortune Master
Race 2: #9 Jolly Honour, #1 Flash Famous, #4 Medic Elite, #5 Our Creed
Race 3: #7 Winning Steps, #2 Bright Kid, #6 Vincy, #10 Management Folks
Race 4: #8 King Of The Court, #6 Island Surprise, #4 Faribault, #11 Flying On The Turf
Race 5: #3 Flaming Passion, #12 Noir Rider, #1 Sugar Sugar, #2 Rattan Kingdom
Race 6: #2 Villa Fionn, #8 Young Life Forever, #11 Theta Hedge, #3 Viva Popcorn
Race 7: #12 Samarkand, #3 Zone D, #6 Happy Daily, #11 Master Tornado
Race 8: #2 California Deeply, #4 Gorgeous Vitality, #3 Harmony N Blessed, #5 Pretty Queen Prawn

Race 1: Murray Handicap (1st Section)

4 Glorious Lover needs a lot to go his way but he does have the ability to win in this grade and over the distance. Strong booking of Karis Teetan warrants consideration, especially from an ideal draw in Class 5. #3 Concerto also steps down in grade. He’s better than his record suggests and the booking of Silvestre de Sousa is ideal. If he’s a price, he’s worth supporting. #2 Blustitch makes the dip to Class 5. His trials have been sound and it wouldn’t surprise to see improvement. #9 Fortune Master is next best.

Race 2: Murray Handicap (2nd Section)

9 Jolly Honour is a two-time Class 3 winner racing in Class 5. If he can reproduce his best – which his latest effort seemed to show glimpses of – then he’s more than capable of winning here. Strong booking of Hugh Bowman is a bonus. #1 Flash Famous is holding his condition. He just needs to offset the tricky draw. #4 Medic Elite is racing well and is capable of turning his last-start failure around. #5 Our Creed regularly catches the eye of top riders in Hong Kong. He draws well and must have claims.

Race 3: Jackson Handicap

7 Winning Steps had much more to offer last start than what he was able to produce. He did still manage to finish a solid sixth and from an inside draw with Silvestre de Sousa up, more is expected this week. #2 Bright Kid is a horse in form chasing a hat-trick of wins. He’s in a rich vein of form and is a big threat. #6 Vincy is consistent and draws ideally. He can take up a nice position here. #10 Management Folks broke through impressively. The wide draw is a concern but Zac Purton’s booking is not.

Race 4: Club Handicap (1st Section)

8 King Of The Court has the ability and he returns following a setback last year. He’s since trialled well and looks well placed to return a winner this week, as long as he can overcome the awkward draw. #6 Island Surprise is in form and will perform once more. Silvestre de Sousa hops up and he must be kept safe. #4 Faribault is chasing back-to-back wins. Gate one will afford him every opportunity. #11 Flying On The Turf steps up in grade but does pair once more with Zac Purton. Expect a bold run.

Race 5: Club Handicap (2nd Section)

3 Flaming Passion closed off well last start. He might get a race to suit here, especially with Karis Teetan sticking aboard as he knows the horse well. #12 Noir Rider can lead this one. He might be worth taking a chance on here at a price, especially as he knows how to lead and win at Happy Valley. #1 Sugar Sugar is classy and he’s suited in this grade and at this course. Expect vast improvement from him returning to Happy Valley. #2 Rattan Kingdom is after a hat-trick. He can figure again.

Race 6: The Hong Kong Club Challenge Cup Handicap

2 Villa Fionn was interfered with late last start and he still managed to close off for a competitive fourth after overcoming it. Expect he’s ridden for luck at the tail once more but his closing speed – especially in Class 4 – is strong enough to win. #8 Young Life Forever roared home last start. He took a liking to the course and distance and his engagement here bears close watching. #11 Theta Hedge is ticking along. He won well two runs back and has proven competitive in this grade. #3 Viva Popcorn is next best.

Race 7: Connaught Handicap

12 Samarkand is better than his form suggests and with the use of the apprentice here chances are they’re planning on rolling forward to lead. He could take a bit of reeling in as he did do his best racing in Australia from out in front. #3 Zone D has the ideal draw and is racing well at present. Zac Purton hops up once more and the pair are favoured here from gate two. #6 Happy Daily narrowly missed last time out. He’s in sound condition. #11 Master Tornado can improve over this trip. Each way chance.

Race 8: Chater Handicap

2 California Deeply is a super impressive prospect. He appears well placed to notch a hat-trick of wins here, especially following a sound trial effort recently at Sha Tin. #4 Gorgeous Vitality should improve second-up from the break. Zac Purton sticks aboard which adds confidence regarding his chances. #3 Harmony N Blessed would have preferred an inside draw but nevertheless should prove competitive. His latest trial caught the eye. #5 Pretty Queen Prawn has a few more points to climb. Next best.

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