Happy Valley Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets 13/9/23

Welcome to the 2023/24 Hong Kong racing season!

On the Happy Valley opener, we have 8 hotly contested races with scattered showers forecast.

The rain isn't expected to be too heavy and as a result, the ground will still be great for racing.

Zac Purton and Danny Shum led their respective jockey and trainer divisions last Sunday at Sha Tin, and are likely to have some good results again tonight.

We should also keep our eyes on the other local trainers, such as Frankie Lor and Benno Yung, who have sent some strong chances down to this midweek meeting.

Happy Valley Best Bets from Charene Woo

Race 2 #8 Nice Bridie $5.50

Trained under the watchful eye of Danny Shum and steered by the talented Zac Purton, Nice Bridie is a horse ready to make its mark at $5.50 in Race 2.

Last weekend, the dynamic duo of Shum and Purton claimed a thrilling double victory at Sha Tin, showcasing their formidable partnership.

During the previous season, Nice Bridie entered the racing scene with a total of 10 starts, managing to secure three commendable placings.

The versatile horse explored all three racing surfaces in Hong Kong, along with various distances, but it was on this very track and trip where it displayed its best form.

In its most recent outing, Nice Bridie challenged the 2200m race at the city circuit, finishing a respectable 4th.

Despite leading the pack for a significant portion of the race, the horse ultimately succumbed in the final furlong, indicating that the distance may have been a tad too long.

This time, the horse steps back to the more comfortable mile and will commence from gate 7.

While the draw may not be ideal, there's a silver lining.

The competition in this field doesn't boast overwhelming speed, allowing Nice Bridie to maintain a prominent position even from gate 7.

With a moderate pace expected, this experienced racer has a chance to shine.

Race 7 #6 Heroic Master $3.30

Race 7 is anticipated to be a high-octane affair, with speedsters like Super Axiom, Harmony N Bless, and Amazing Rocky expected to set a blistering pace.

In such a scenario, the midfielders and backmarkers are sure to get their chance to steam over the top.

Heroic Master, trained by Frankie Lor, is poised to make his presence felt.

In a big tick to its chances, Zac Purton will be in the saddle starting from gate 1.

This great draw will enable Heroic Master to secure the rail and bide his time in a midfield stalking role.

In a notable change, Heroic Master will sport cheek pieces for the first time.

The horse recently exhibited stellar form during trials with this gear at Counghua.

Heroic Master boasts a commendable record at this course and distance, with 1 win and 2 placings from 3 starts during the previous season.

However, he struggled over 1200m in subsequent races.

Therefore, the decision to revert to the 1000m distance appears to be a wise move, promising a big run for his followers.