Brett Davis provides exclusive Review of Happy Valley races.
Race 1 – Ulsan Handicap, HK $810,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1650m - Track Good
Time: 1:40.27 Standard Time: 1:40.05 Course/Class record: 1:38.91 All Joyful
Winner: TO INFINITY (NZ 4yo g Darci Brahma – Italic) from his wide draw (10) shifted across to race at the rear of the field, he was ridden patiently by Derek Leung and at the turn made his run and went on to score easily at outside odds of $19. He finished 11th of 12 runners at this track last start when sent out at odds of $10 and understandably given the dramatic turnaround in form Stewards questioned trainer Jamie Richards on the improved performance. Richards said that last start To Infinity wasn't suited when racing at the rear of the field in what was a slowly run event. He also felt that a senior rider in the saddle as opposed to last start also aided his victory.
Runner-Up: HANG'S CHOICE following a last start second placing at Sha Tin was sent out as the favourite, he raced in the middle of the field, moved up to be sixth on turn then quickened to hit the front with 100m to run only to be out finished late. He was checked entering the first bend with better luck in the running next start should gain a well deserved win.
Run of the Race: ANGELS HUNTER ran home well from seventh on the turn to finish fourth after laying in with 250m when getting tightened for room and then at the 150m mark had difficulty obtaining clear racing room and was held up behind the second placed runner. With a better run over the final stages would have run a place?
Disappointment: THETA HEDGE was sent out as the second favorite, he raced up on the pace to be second, then led into the turn but faded out badly to finish 10th. He did receive a check with 1200m to run but he cost himself any real chance of running in the money when over-racing during the running.
Comparison: Well outside standard time.
Market Mover: HAPPY JAI JAI had good support late in betting.
Race 2 – Daejeon Handicap, HK $1,080,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:09.95 Standard Time: 1:09.83 Course/Class record: 1:08.60 Happily Friends
Winner: SNOWALOT (NZ 5yo g Contributor – Snowdonia) gained a well deserved victory when coming home strongly from mid-field to hit the lead with 60m to run. He was solid in the market, opening up and closing at $4.00. He improved on his last start run when he came home strongly at this track to finish third. This won't be his last win this preparation.
Runner-Up: MELBOURNE HALL ran home well after getting held up on the turn and had to change ground with 300m to run to get a clear run to the line. From a wide draw he could only finish ninth of 12 runners here last start when sent out at long odds but made good use of his favourable draw today to turn that last start form around.
Run Of The Race: Kais Farsi had to contend with a wide draw (11), he raced at the rear of the field and then put in some good late strides after struggling to find racing room with 300m to run to finish fifth. With a better draw next time out he should be finishing in the top-three.
Disappointment: Mr Valiant opened up as the favourite and could only manage to finish eighth after getting a good run throughout the race.
Comparison: Just outside standard time.
Market Mover: Late money came for the winner Snowalot.
Race 3 – Daejeon Handicap, HK $1,080,000
Class 4 – Turf -Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time:1:09.87 Standard Time: 1:09.95 Course/Class record: 1:08.60 Happily Friends
Winner: TELECOM SPEED (5yo g Street Boss – Chinchilla) lay in when making the first turn, he raced in about fifth position for most of the trip then came wide into the straight and came home well to hit the front with 100m to run. He finished strongly to run fourth here in his previous start after having to get back in the early running from his wide draw, his better draw of two tonight definitely made all the difference. He was due a winning turn having raced well in his recent runs and should easily enough handle the rise in grade next time out.
Runner-Up: CHEONG FAT made a poor beginning from his wide draw, raced at the rear of the field and came home strongly over the final 200m. He improved a lot on his previous start when only beating one runner home and now that he is back in form could carry on with it next time out.
Run Of The Race: TIMESTORM was sent out as the second favourite and finished seventh, he never saw daylight in the straight and went to the line hard held. With better luck in the running next start should be winning.
Disappointment: STORMTROUPER was a $3.00 favourite but only battled to the line, he is better than that and can atone next time out.
Comparison: Just under standard time.
Market Mover: TIMESTORM had good support late in betting.
Race 4 – Gwangju Handicap, HK $1,080,000
Class 4 – Turf - 1650m - Track Good
Time: 1:40.45 Standard Time: 1:39.85 Course/Class record: 1:38.83 Flying Elite
Winner: INVINCIBLE MISSILE (AUS 7yo g Smart Missle – Phaedra) could only finish eighth over 1600m at Sha Tin in his previous start but made the most of a downgrade to score easily enough after racing midfield, then taking closer order with 400m to run before taking the lead with 200m left to the line.
Runner-Up: ROMANTIC LAOS drew wide and got back in the running early then was held-up until the 200m mark and came home strongly. He was strongly supported and with better luck in his next start can repay his followers.
Run Of The Race: ROMANTIC LAOS came home well once given clear-air.
Disappointment: Nothing disappointing.
Comparison: Outside standard time.
Market Mover: RIVER VIEWS was specked late in betting.
Race 5 – Daegu Handicap, HK $1,080,000
Class 4 – Turf - Distance 1000m - Track Good
Time: 56.91 Standard Time: 57.10 Course/Class record: 56.39 Gentle Breeze
Winner: ACE TALENT (NZ 4yo g Swiss Ace – Repulse Bay) improved on his previous run for fifth after having a tough run from a wide draw, he drew a lot better today and raced up on the pace to then take the lead with 200m to run. He fought hard to the line and was well due a winning turn.
Runner-Up: SUPER AXIOM tried to lead all of the way, he fought hard to the line but found one better on the day to be beaten a head.
Run Of The Race: OVERSUBSCRIBED from midfield ran home well to finish a close-up after getting held-up for a run with 200m to run. He was well supported and with better luck in the running next time out should go close to winning.
Disappointment: CIRCUIT SEVEN was the closing favourite and raced up on the speed but failed to perform and finished sixth. Given the run that he had he should have performed a lot better.
Comparison: Inside standard.
Market Mover: The late money came for Circuit Seven.
Race 6 – The Korea Racing Authority Trophy (Handicap), HK $1,900,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1800m - Track Good
Time: 1:48.84 Standard Time: 1:49.40 Course/Class record: 1:47.91 Leap Of Faith
Winner: LA CITY BLANCHE (ARG 4yo g Cityscape – Etoile Blanc) came from sixth on the turn with Zac Purton in the saddle and with 100m to run took the lead from his stablemate who held on for second. He improved on his previous run when finishing seventh at Sha Tin. Now that he is back into winning form he can easily carry on with it.
Runner-Up: MAJESTIC VICTORY drew wide but showed speed to get across to race up on the speed and took over the lead close to home only to be out-run late.
Run Of The Race: TIANCHI MONSTER came from well back to finish sixth, he was denied racing room over the final 200m and would have finished a lot closer had the gaps appeared
Disappointment: No disappointments in this event.
Comparison: Inside standard time.
Market Mover: Late money came for the winner.
Race 7 – Incheon Handicap, HK $1,725,000
Class 3 – Turf - Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:09.07 Standard Time: 1:09.75 Course/Class record: 1:08.68 Speed Vision
Winner: SON PAK FU (AUS 4yo g Fighting Sun – Lady Zhao Sun) was never in doubt as the odds-on favourite when coming from fifth on the fence to hit the lead with 150m to run and race away. That was his fourth straight victory and he should be adding to that record next time out as he will be racing in the same class as today.
Runner-Up: Hameron raced at the rear of the field and ran home well in what was his debut run in Hong Kong to claim second with 100m to run. He never had a show of beating the winner but he had the rest of his rivals covered.
Run Of The Race: The winner was most impressive and he is going to win a lot more races for his connections.
Disappointment: No disappointments.
Comparison: Just inside the standard time.
Market Mover: JUMBO LEGEND had good support late in betting.
Race 8 – Busan (Handicap), HK $1,725,000
Class 3 – Distance 1000m - Track Good
Time: 56.76 Standard Time: 56.70 Course/Class record: 55.85 Stoltz
Winner: HARMONY N BLESSED (AUS 6yo g Magnus – Fly To Win) chased the leader and took over the front with 150m to run. He looked close to a winning run having finished third last start over 1200m when trying to lead all of the way.
Runner-Up: SEASONS WIT from his wide draw was caught out wide in the running, he moved up well into the straight and fought on hard to the line
Run Of The Race: SEASONS WIT had little luck in the running but never gave up the fight, with a better run next start should be going one place better.
Disappointment: HARMONY FIRE had the run of the race and was backed into favourite late but failed to flatter, finishing sixth. A poor effort given the run that he had.
Comparison: Just outside standard time.
Market Mover: Late money came for the winner.
Race 9 – Seoul Handicap, HK $2,64,000
Class 2 – Turf- Distance 1200m - Track Good
Time: 1:08.82 Standard Time: 1:09.30 Course/Class record: 1:08.26 Rewarding Together
Winner: HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE (AUS 3yo g Deep Field – My Shabella) was sent out as a hot favourite and duly obliged when winning after hitting the lead with 100m to run. The way he stayed on would suggest he is going to be hard to beat again next time he lines-up.
Runner-Up: ROCK YA HEART came home well to look a winning chance with 200m to run but had no show of beating the winner. timHe is a genuine type and should be winning soon.
Run Of The Race: The winner won easily and never gave his rivals any chance.
Disappointment: No disappointments in this race.
Comparison: Well inside standard.
Market Mover: With the favourite opening and closing at even money there were no market movers.
