Brett Davis provides exclusive Preview of Happy Valley races.
"HAPPY VALLEY - SEASON FINALE"
2024/2025
(Race Meeting 88/88)
"Horse Of The Year"
KA YING RISING
"Champion Trainer"
JOHN SIZE (x13)
"Champion Jockey"
ZAC PURTON (x8)
"Champion Miler/Stayer"
VOYAGE BUBBLE
"Champion Middle -Distance"
ROMANTIC WARRIOR
"Champion Sprinter/Champion 4yo"
KA YING RISING
"Most Improved"
MY WISH
(Rating Increase - 54 to 105 points)
(Prize Money - $20, 098,050 HKD)
Rail - B Course
Race 1
#9 YOU'REMYEVERTHING doesn't shuffle along as quickly as he once could but he's dangerously rated in this grade.A 1000m race at Happy Valley last start saw him run off his legs early but he finished off the race quicker than all bar one opponent.The cheek pieces added also helped to spark up his mental approach.Now rising to his preferred 1200m off a 7 day back up has him primed and ready to produce another win.
#1 TRIUMPHANT WARRIOR did work to cross the field during the first half last start which in the wash up quelled his finishing power to the line.That won't be the case tonight at his second run in class 5 because he's drawn perfectly under Zac Purton in barrier 3.It's quite a strong class 5 to kick off the final meeting of the 2024/2025 season, and the best ride probably gets it done, which is precisely why he rates as one of the major winning hopes.
#4 DAN ATTACK hasn't fulfilled the early potential he displayed and now resumes following a 6 month break for the new stable of Douglas Whyte.A left front leg injury in January sidelined him from the track for approximately two months but he's looked smooth winning two barrier trials at Conghua leading in.There's plenty to like regarding the finer specifics going into to this contest, but, he has been costly in the past.
#5 RAGNARR has been consistent over varying distance and changing tactics for most of his current campaign.When he draws low he races handy, and with that being the case tonight he should end up box seating in the run.Getting him to drop his head once he establishes the aforementioned position is the key to his winning hope, with that responsibility now in the hands of local rider Mathew Poon.
#2 MY INTELLIGENT made a mistake leaving the gates last start and the flow on effect saw him finish down the track.A rider change with a claim now takes place, as he drops into class 5, and his record in this grade is rock solid.A final preparation trial under new jockey Ellis Wong took place in the middle of June, with the performance placing a sizeable tick alongside his name.
Selections : 9,1,4,5,2
R2 - 2,7,4,8,1
R3 - 9,6,1,7,10
R4 - 1,2,3,6,7
Race 5
#3 GRAND NOVA won his only race this campaign earlier in the season down the Sha Tin straight after settling closer than normal to the speed.A pair of barrier trials at Conghua in May/June displayed him in a good space and he followed that up recently with a positive performance at Sha Tin.A recent and additional barrier trial on the all weather track has further enhanced his aura and condition, so expect him to run well, now he changes venue whilst stepping up in trip.
#7 HONEST WITNESS remains raw and new but has plenty of ability to work with going forward.He did a good job getting around Happy Valley at his first attempt and should be finishing closer this time around after drawing favourably in gate 4.Hugh Bowman and Zac Purton have basically shared race day bookings at this point of his career, which is a solid pointer to the potential unfolding of this race.
#1 DANCING CLASSICS is owned by Hong Kong singer and actor Aaron Kwok and he hasn't had many duds to race.He won his debut down the Sha Tin straight with ease before finding trouble as the beaten 1.6fav at his second start.He began track work in August 2023 before a lameness issues challenged his left and right fore, so he's had some ups and downs.Furthermore, no experience at Happy Valley and a wide draw to deal with he becomes the difficult runner to assess.
#12 CIRCUIT VICTORY has only just begun to put things together after a sluggish start to his career.The application of blinkers and a light weight saw him lead throughout at Sha Tin in early May and he's since been competitive up in grade.He's tactically versatile, but I'm confident he'll push up in an attempt to race handy or even lead, however, the big query being he's never sighted Happy Valley.
#4 TACTICAL COMMAND is the wild card after to fabulous runs in defeat.The low draw doesn't really suit him because it assures that he'll have to manoeuvre swiftly between traffic to win.A new jockey goes on with no previous experience which is another area of potential concern.Conversely, he's on a quick back up, which is generally gold, and he appears to be jumping out of his skin.
Selections : 3,7,1,12,4
R6 - 5,1,10,3,12
R7 - 7,12,1,3,4
R8 - 2,5,11,3,8
R9 - 12,6,1,4,5
