Happy Valley Selections
Wednesday, April 09, 2025)
Race 1: #7 Tradition, #1 Cervin, #2 Ninja Derby, #10 Verbier
Race 2: #4 Loveisintheair, #2 Northern Fire Ball, #11 Triumphant Warrior, #5 Spicy Spangle
Race 3: #2 Harmony Galaxy, #11 Me Time, #9 Yoda’s Choice, #3 Can’t Go Wong
Race 4: #10 Good Prospect, #2 Gameplayer Elite, #7 Exceed The Wish, #11 Young Horizon
Race 5: #4 Colourful King, #3 Eternal Fortune, #2 Youthful Spirits, #8 Watch This One
Race 6: #1 Stellar Swift, #4 Galvanic, #6 Club Ace, #12 Telecom Power
Race 7: #5 Gallant Epoch, #4 Sky Vino, #1 Quantum Patch, #9 Jumbo Fortune
Race 8: #10 Flying Fortress, #11 Good Luck Win, #8 Ivy League, #1 Outgate
Race 9: #8 Golden Rise, #3 Prestige Always, #4 Super Joy N Fun, #9 Charming Babe
Race 1 - YAU MA TEI HANDICAP
#7 Tradition has slid down the ratings and his form has been improving since entering Class 5. He was last seen settling near the rear over 1800m on the all-weather before charging home into fourth, while his prior run at this course and distance saw him caught wide from the 700m yet still finish a close-up fourth. #1 Cervin has been given a freshen-up since his poor last-start effort over 1800m at Sha Tin in Class 4, where he led and weakened. That trip and grade didn’t suit, but the drop back into Class 5 and return to this course and distance work in his favour—especially with more measured tactics. #2 Ninja Derby now returns to Class 5, where he is a two-time winner from seven starts, and looks better placed. He’s been sent out as favourite in recent Class 4 outings but failed to meet expectations—those market signals bode well for his chances in this weaker contest. #10 Verbier stuck on gamely for third last start at this course and distance from barrier 11 when leading. In a race that lacks tempo, he’ll get another opportunity to hang on for a placing.
Race 2 - KING'S PARK HANDICAP
#4 Loveisintheair is ready to put his best foot forward third-up after two similar runs to start his career, settling back and charging home late into sixth and fifth respectively—both times beaten only two and a half lengths. If he can settle a touch closer in the run, that will greatly enhance his winning prospects. #2 Northern Fire Ball looks the likely leader and can improve on his last-start effort over 1000m, where he settled well back after a slow getaway and was only beaten just over three lengths into tenth. The rise to 1200m is in his favour. #11 Triumphant Warrior has jumped from barrier 11 in his past two starts and charged home into the placings on both occasions. Although still a 17-start maiden, he’s not without hope if the race shape suits. #5 Spicy Spangle broke through for his second career win at his second outing for the Cody Mo stable last start and may be able to go on with it now.
Race 3 - WYLIE HANDICAP
#2 Harmony Galaxy needed every bit of the home straight to try and reel in Highland Rahy last week but just missed on the line by half a length. He looks ready to strike and post his first win, and this shapes as an easier contest for him on the quick backup. #11 Me Time was last seen making good ground in a slowly run race into fourth. His overall form this season at this course and distance has been solid, and a more genuine tempo here will suit his pattern to launch a late bid. #9 Yoda’s Choice took 19 starts to break through for his first win but did it in style last start with an all-the-way victory at the top of Class 5 over this distance on the all-weather. He now finds himself back in Class 4 but, as a four-year-old who is improving with racing and maturity, he might just be able to go on with it. #3 Can’t Go Wong checked in a better-than-it-reads sixth last start after copping a check. He’s capable of showing up in a race like this and holds each-way claims.
Race 4 - KING'S PARK HANDICAP
#10 Good Prospect strung together back-to-back runner-up finishes from inside draws two and three starts ago before drawing wide in gate 11 last time, where he still showed he’s in good form with a fast-finishing fourth behind Power Koepp. The improving three-year-old gets his chance to break through from barrier 1 here. #2 Gameplayer Elite is starting to find his feet since dropping into Class 4 and produced his best effort yet when flashing home into second behind Great Spirit. The Brazilian-bred looks close to breaking through. #7 Exceed The Wish has been unwanted in the betting across four starts but turned in his best effort yet in the same race as Gameplayer Elite, where he didn’t get the clearest run in the straight but was only one and three-quarter lengths away in sixth. He appears to be trending the right way. #11 Young Horizon remains winless from 31 attempts in this class but has placed seven times. He’s better over 1400m as his record suggests, but a string of luckless runs from wide draws shows his form is sound and, with better luck in running, he can run a cheeky race.
Race 5 - THE HONG KONG CHINA RUGBY CUP (HANDICAP)
#4 Colourful King came on in leaps and bounds from his first-up effort to his second-up run, scoring impressively at this course and distance. The David Eustace-trained three-year-old meets a similar field here and, given he looks a horse with more to offer, can bring up back-to-back wins. #3 Eternal Fortune has trialled well between runs following his fast-finishing fourth behind Red Elegance. He’s yet to break through at this course and distance in five attempts but has placed in four of those, which holds him in good stead. #2 Youthful Spirits was a nose second to Colourful Prince last time out as a heavily backed odds-on favourite. The small field suits and he should give his usual bold sight up on the lead. #8 Watch This One turned in a fair fourth first-up, beaten only two and a quarter lengths by Colourful King, and with fitness and race experience on his side, he looks set to improve. His trial between runs was also encouraging.
Race 6 - KING'S PARK HANDICAP
#1 Stellar Swift will find this much easier than recent Class 3 contests against stronger company. He’s been dealt tough draws of late, but last start from barrier 11, he stuck on well for fourth, beaten under a length. Moving into barrier 2 presents a golden opportunity. #4 Galvanic resumes after a string of third-place finishes behind some handy types, including Masterofmyuniverse and the in-form Fortune Whiskey. He was given an easy time in a recent trial but moved well, and a moderate race like this gives him a genuine chance to bounce back for an overdue win. #6 Club Ace isn’t without a chance either. He looks like the type who will improve with racing and has been hinting that a win isn’t far off. #12 Telecom Power is verging on a Class 5 drop but has been putting in some encouraging runs. He’s been hard to catch, but on an each-way basis he can’t be ruled out.
Race 7 - OI MAN HANDICAP
#5 Gallant Epoch visits Happy Valley for the first time and brings solid recent form—he beat Master Trillion two starts back, who in turn finished ahead of Sky Vino last start, and was only collared late in his latest all-the-way attempt. He’ll give a bold sight again. #4 Sky Vino shed his maiden tag impressively two starts ago at this course and distance before switching to 1400m at Sha Tin, where he drew an outside barrier and closed off nicely into second, beaten just half a length. The return to the extended mile at the city circuit looks ideal, and he can go one better. #1 Quantum Patch warrants respect on the class drop as he dips into Class 4 for the first time. His form had tapered off a touch in recent outings, but this easier company gives him a chance to recapture his better form. #9 Jumbo Fortune rarely wins—just once from 52 starts—but he is honest and his last three placings suggest he’s in the right shape to turn in another competitive effort.
Race 8 - MONG KOK HANDICAP
#10 Flying Fortress is building toward a win and the market gravitated that way last start when he was sent around favourite. It was a strangely run race where he didn’t receive the smoothest of trip but he stuck on late in the straight, finishing three lengths off M Unicorn in fourth. Worth another chance here. #11 Good Luck Win has been the epitome of consistency and is coming off his second career win, where he overcame barrier 11 to sit handy and kick clear by over two lengths. He now rises in class but his honest profile against inconsistent rivals gives him a solid chance on the light weight. #8 Ivy League is on the seven-day turnaround and may get a soft enough time on speed in a race lacking tempo to give a bold sight. #1 Outgate returns to Class 3 where he boasts a strong record, and the switch to this course and distance is a major plus—he’s a two-time winner and dual runner-up from eight attempts here.
Race 9 - HO MAN TIN HANDICAP
#8 Golden Rise has been consistent since the blinkers were applied four starts ago, collecting a win and three placings—including last start, which was his first go in Class 3. He didn’t disgrace, held up from the 300m until passing the 200m before darting home late into third, beaten just under a length. #3 Prestige Always is an intriguing runner who might find 1200m on the sharp side, but he brings strong form and could run a race fresh first-up over the sprint trip, especially with blinkers reapplied. #4 Super Joy N Fun finished second in the same race and enjoyed a slightly better run in transit. That performance suggests he’s trending the right way and another win is around the corner. #9 Charming Babe broke through for his first win locally last start near the top of Class 4 after three runs in the grade. He surprised at odds on that occasion, but the penny may have dropped and he looks capable of building on that.