Preview and form for the meeting at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Selections by Andrew Hawkins.
HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday December 12, 2018)
RACE 1: #1 Dashing Dart, #2 Doctors Delight, #5 Kwaichung Brothers, #9 Come On Wongchoy
RACE 2: #2 Very Rich Man, #4 Travel Datuk, #3 Waldorf, #9 London Master
RACE 3: #2 Indigenous Star, #3 Wonderful Tiger, #1 Smart Salute, #7 Amazing Gold
RACE 4: #4 Lightning Steed, #1 Khaki, #10 Applause, #2 Better Choice
RACE 5: #6 Full Of Chances, #5 General Dino, #8 Smart Baby, #1 Dynamic Eagle
RACE 6: #8 Complacency, #2 Most Beautiful, #4 Fantastic Fabio, #7 Fearless Fire
RACE 7: #11 Gentle Breeze, #6 California Archer, #1 Fairy Twins, #10 Star Of Joy
RACE 8: #3 My Ally, #4 Sky Melody, #5 Dances With Dragon, #7 Sleep Education
RACE 1: FRIGATEBIRD HANDICAP
#1 Dashing Dart suffered his first defeat in Class 5 at his second attempt in the grade last time out, but it was still a good effort from well back. He’s run well at this course and distance up in Class 4 and he’s drawn to take advantage here. #2 Doctors Delight steps out for the first time since July and he also makes his debut for new trainer Jimmy Ting. He has trialled well and he should be competitive in this spot. #5 Kwaichung Brothers has run well enough at his last two starts and can’t be overlooked. #9 Come On Wongchoy is next best.
RACE 2: ALBATROSS HANDICAP
#2 Very Rich Man was outsped last time out and faded tamely. He usually has the speed to lead, which he should be able to do here, and if he can assume that role he’ll be tough to run down. #4 Travel Datuk is still yet to win from 26 starts in Hong Kong, but he’s shown hints of form at different times. He’s worth consideration with even luck. #3 Waldorf has been racing into form. He has to defy the outside gate, but he’s not without a chance if he can do that. #9 London Master is at a mark where he can get into the finish.
RACE 3: FRIGATEBIRD HANDICAP
#2 Indigenous Star ran well down in grade last time out, rattling home to finish third. The faster early tempo over the Happy Valley 1650m might prove the key to him finding the winners’ circle for the second time. #3 Wonderful Tiger finished second on LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship night at the city track last Wednesday, being caught by The Sylph of all horses. He is a leading chance, no doubt, but he’s the style of horse who might be worth opposing if he is too short. #1 Smart Salute drops to Class 5 for the first time in just over a year. He has a good record in the grade and he can’t be ignored. #7 Amazing Gold steps out for David Hall for the first time and also gets Joao Moreira aboard. He’s a contender.
RACE 4: THE HONG KONG GOLF CLUB CENTENARY CUP
#4 Lightning Steed steps out for Caspar Fownes for the first time, having previously been with the now-departed Michael Freedman. He makes his Happy Valley debut here and he’s drawn to get an ideal run just behind the speed. He’s a leading player. #1 Khaki has got an awkward gate, but he’s been racing well this season and there’s no reason he can’t run another good race here. #10 Applause doesn’t win out of turn but he’s been racing well. Zac Purton jumps aboard and he’s right in the mix. #2 Better Choice should be suited back down into Class 4.
RACE 5: MESIA HANDICAP
#6 Full Of Chances won at the start of October before two poor efforts at his last two outings. The switch to Happy Valley could spark him to life and it might be worth playing him here. #5 General Dino has drawn wide but a win is coming before too long. He’s worth including. #8 Smart Baby has won his last two starts comfortably. He might still have one more win in him before he reaches his mark. #1 Dynamic Eagle gets down to Class 4 for the first time. He’s going to get a win quickly in this grade.
RACE 6: NIGHTJAR HANDICAP
#8 Complacency struggled last time out after a wide run, but he won nicely at the top of Class 4 two back over the Sha Tin 1200m. He now comes to Happy Valley for the first time and, from another ideal draw, he’s capable of winning again in what is not the strongest Class 3. #2 Most Beautiful ran on nicely enough last time out, having won three back. He’s capable of winning again off his current rating. #4 Fantastic Fabio steps up to Class 3 for the first time. He’s been performing well of late, getting out on the speed and holding on, and there’s a chance he gets another soft lead here. #7 Fearless Fire might be able to go on with it now.
RACE 7: ROBIN HANDICAP
#11 Gentle Breeze got up late to win last time out down in grade. He carries no weight here, only 111 pounds for Matthew Poon, and from the inside gate he should enjoy a great trail. Expect him to be very competitive. #6 California Archer steps out for Tony Cruz for the first time. He’s shown talent at different times and a win is sure to come quickly. #1 Fairy Twins has run well at his last three starts, dating back to the first Happy Valley meeting of the season, and he should run well again. #10 Star Of Joy is impossible to have on top, having finished in the top four at 13 of his 19 Hong Kong starts but remaining winless. He’ll be around the mark, but a win looks a little difficult until he gets down to Class 4.
RACE 8: SEA EAGLE HANDICAP
#3 My Ally has been slowly finding form since getting down to Class 3. A kinder draw might prove all the difference and, if he gets a soft run on or near the speed, he’ll be hard to hold out. #4 Sky Melody still appears to have points in hand off his current rating of 74. He hasn’t raced since September but he’s a player in this spot. #5 Dances With Dragon has had a number of things play against him during his time in Hong Kong. Still, he looks likely to get a win in Class 3 at some point. The same goes for #7 Sleep Education, too.
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