International racing expert Xavier Blair gives us his race by race analysis for tonight’s Hong Kong meeting at Happy Valley racecourse, view his tips and selections.
First race: 10:15PM
Odds:
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Happy Valley
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Race 1 |
Race 2 |
Race 3 |
Race 4 |
Race 5 |
Race 6 |
Race 7 |
Race 8 |
Race 1 – Tsun Yuen Handicap Class 4 Rtg 60-40 2200m
(6) Suisse D’Or has his hoof firmly on the till and should notch up his maiden win in HK. His last couple have been excellent over the 1800m and the rise in distance shouldnt phase him too much. Darren Beadman is in craxking form and can easily navigate the wide draw. (4) Bledisloe isnt really bred to get this kind of trip but his last run over 2000m at Sha Tin was good. Expect him to run well along with (5) Wonderful Gains who is a one paced battling type who will be put into the race at the right time by Douglas Whyte.
(6) Suisse D’Or
(4) Bledisloe
(5) Wondergul Gains
(10) Private Road
Race 2 – Shing Ping Handicap Class 4 Rtg 60-40 1200m
(5) Ride On The Fire looks set to breakthrough here in an average race. He gets the services of Brett Prebble who has a cracking record when riding for Casper Fownes and a nice draw sees him a tough cookie to crack. (9) Just Chill is the value in the race, he excels here at the Valley and from the cherry draw it’s hard to see him missing the frame tonight. (10) Good Smile is yet to fill the placings in 10 starts but has been racing in smart fashion of late and can improve on his numerical form.
(5) Ride On The Fire
(9) Just Chill
(10) Good Smile
(2) Smart Kids
Race 3 – Cheong Ming Handicap Class 1 Rtg 110-85 1650m
Not often do we see class one’s here at the Valley but we are in for a treat tonight with not one, but two class one’s on the program. (1) Blue Sky is a consistent 6yo gelding who two starts back thundered home from the rear for third behind Valley champion Noble Conqueror. At his latest start he ran a consistent 6th to Mighty High who is destined for bigger things. Prebble goes back on and has ridden him to victory twice previously, he looks well placed. (2) Aashiq is his main danger as he makes his Valley debut but is a slight query over the mile. The tight “C” course favours those on pace which should help him get the trip. (6) Express Win races well here and won’t know himself with no weight on his back. He’s the blowout with the right run.
(1) Blue Sky
(2) Aashiq
(6) Express Win
(8) Interchina Star
Race 4 – Want Tak Handicap Class 5 Rtg 40-10 1650m
Average race where its about time (9) Winning Strategy broke through for a win. He’s been around the mark over the Valley mile at his past couple and can come with a well timed run down the middle of the track and prove too good. (11) Cover Boy is the big danger, coming off an excellent effort in a similar race last start where he was checked and still ran on strongly for a minor prize. He has a wide draw to contend with but Douglas Whyte should be able to deal with it. (12) Full Pack is an enigmatic galloper who can put in a run from time to time. He gets in with no weight and is the suprise packet.
(9) Winning Strategy
(11) Cover Boy
(12) Full Pack
(1) Bulb Treasure
Race 5 – Tsoi Tak Handicap Class 4 Rtg 60-40 1650m
Going for some value here with (12) Linked Win who is yet to win in this class but he stays down in the weights and continues to run well. He was a tad unlucky last start, making up good ground from the back and can easily be the one sailing down the middle proving too strong. (9) Ming’s Hero doesnt win out of turn but his past couple have shown hes knocking on the door. Whyte sticks with him and looks a nice each way bet. (2) Make It just failed to pick up Snitzel Kid last start and has a solid record over this longer trip while (1) China Dragon was slowly away last start and his effort was good under the circumstances. Give him another go.
(12) Linked Win*
(9) Ming’s Hero
(2) Make It
(1) China Dragon
Race 6 – Hawthorn Handicap Class 3 Rtg 85-60 1200m
(1) Always Something has a bit of class about him and should assert his superiority back to the Valley after two solid efforts at Sha Tin. A lovely draw and the services of Douglas Whyte, he looks the winner. (5) Flying Colours is ultra consistent and deserves another win. He’s up in weight on his last couple but this assignment looks a little easier. (9) Jun Qi is the one who can rattle home from the back if the speed is on. Include him in tricks.
(1) Always Something
(5) Flying Colours
(9) Jun Qi
(3) Really Happy
Race 7 – Kwai Fong Handicap Class 3 Rtg 85-60 1650m
Cracking race!! Really hard to find a clear top pick with up to half a dozen of them with strong winning claims. (11) Lunar Reflections will be a price tonight and I expect him to have come on a bit after his last start 3rd which was his first run for over two months. He has a wide draw but should drift back anyway. (6) Holiday Sun was up in grade last start and suprisingly ran a well backed favourite. He got too far back and still managed to storm home for an unlucky 5th. He looks suited back in grade tonight. (5) Shifachi Tradition just cant seem to win of late but will put in his usual honest race.
(11) Lunar Reflections**
(6) Holiday Sun
(5) Shifachi Tradition
(1) Cheer
Race 8 – Briar Handicap Class 1 Rtg 110-85 1200m
The last on the program sees the clash of two exciting young guns in (8) Romantic City and (9) Turbo King in which the latter prevailed last time with the swing in the weights. This time they both drop in weight and I fancy (8) Romantic City with the lighter impost can turn the tables racing up on the pace. (7) Final Answer could spoil the party with Beadman and ace draw. Hes been in top form winning two of his past three. (5) High Point is a different horse this term and down in weight can figure.
(8) Romantic City
(9) Turbo King
(7) Final Answer
(5) High Point
Written by Xavier Blair
