Happy Valley preview and tips: Sunday, October 29

Racing at Happy Valley racecourse

By Adam Cusworth

Racing in Hong Kong is at Happy Valley on Sunday for a 10-race programme.

Here is our preview of the meeting.

Race 1

Not too many of these have set the world on fire of late. THETA HEDGE (4) resumed with an 8th over the 1000m on October 11 and should be an improver out to the 1200m. The six-year-old was placed at his three runs prior to that, which were at the track and trip. Look for him to push up from barrier 10. BRILLIANT PIONEER (7) comes off a last start 5th at the track and trip and never really had a crack at them. The Ricky Yiu-trained galloper will appreciate an even tempo and will be running on. HAPPY TANGO (5) resumes and is another that will look to take up a forward spot. He can stick on in a weak race. AUGUST MOON (1) drops in grade and is worth throwing in.

Selections: 4-7-5-1

Race 2

The Class 3 gallopers stretch out over the 2200m in Race 2 and TURIN MASCOT (4) should be hard to beat. The Pierre Ng-trained galloper has had the one run this season for a 5th over the 1800m and endured a chequered run in the straight that night. He was a strong winner at the track and trip at his start prior to that in June and draws barrier 2 with Zac Purton to ride. NATURAL STORM (1) gets out to the 2200m and has been closing off well over shorter trips. He has an excellent trip and track record and must be respected. SUPER HONG KONG (7) was a dominant winner over the 2200m back in July and is another that can improve off a last start effort. TOTAL POWER (8) narrowly missed behind Turin Mascot back in June and will strip fitter at his third run of the season.

Selections: 4-1-7-8

Race 3

VIVA A LA (6) can continue his recent run when he steps out in Race 3. The five-year-old didn't do much in his first 18 starts but has won two of his past three and led all the way to defeat Yee Chong Warrior at the track and trip on October 4. He is likely to take up a front running role and will take some catching. UNITED ENDEAVOURS (3) should find this easier. He dropped out of it when 9th in a Class 4 at his first run back from a spell but improved to place at Class 4 level at his second run back last time and he gets the 3kg claim for Angus Chung, with that pair drawing perfectly in barrier 4. MEDIC ELITE (5) was a track and trip winner three starts ago and has been thereabouts in two runs since. SMART BEAUTY (11) is a first four contender.

Selections: 6-3-5-11

Race 4

SERGEANT PEPPER (4) can go close in Race 4. The six-year-old likes the track and trip and was a winner here three starts ago. At his most recent start, he settled handy before just missing behind Happy Day, while he should get the gun run from barrier 2. CIRCUIT SEVEN (10) has similar credentials, having won well at the track and trip three starts ago. He was 4th in the same race as Sergeant Pepper last time. KING INVINCIBLE (7) also comes out of the same race and finished off strongly after getting back from barrier 10. He can settle a little closer this time around. Monitor betting for PATCH OF WATCH (8). He is a first starter that has been close up in recent trials.

Selections: 4-10-7-8

Race 5

DURHAM STAR (8) can chalk up an overdue win when he steps out in Race 5. The Douglas Whyte-trained galloper was held up when 4th at the track and trip on October 4 and narrowly missed at his three runs prior to that. Zac Purton rides and the seven-year-old gets his chance from barrier 2. CONCERTO (4) won two on the trot at the track and trip late last season and resumed with a 5th at Happy Valley on September 27. He should improve off that and will be running on. GOLDEN BULL (5) gets to Happy Valley for the first time and has some handy recent form at Sha Tin. The Danny Shum-trained galloper will be well-placed in the run from barrier 4. DRAGON STAR (12) is a lightweight contender that has placed at his past three. Include.

Selections: 8-4-5-12

Race 6

TOMODACHI KOKOROE (1) can chalk up his first win since coming to Hong Kong. The former North Queensland galloper won six on the trot in Cairns and Townsville before coming over and hasn't been able to fire at Class 3 level. But the son of Written Tycoon hasn't been far away, and this looks easier. Purton rides and the pair save ground from barrier 1. GOLDEN LINK (4) goes in after a last start effort that saw him finish runner-up behind Denfield. He will settle handy and should be thereabouts at the business end. JUNEAU FLASH (2) has had two runs this time in and improved to fill the minors behind Exuberant on October 11. He will appreciate an even tempo and will be running on. FLAMING EAGLE (11) is also in the mix.

Selections: 1-4-2-11

Race 7

Going with SEASONS WIT (8) in Race 7. The Jamie Richards-trained galloper won three straight at the track and trip late last season and should be ready after a series of recent trial. Three runners come out of the National Day Cup (1000m), including KURPANY (1) and WHIZZ KID (4), who have been trading blows in recent times. Kurpany was 3rd in the National Day Cup, while Wihizz Kid was 4th. Suspect the latter might be slightly better at Happy Valley. NERVOUS WITNESS (6) is a first four contender.

Selections: 8-4-1-6

Race 8

Going with ROYAL PRIDE (1) in Race 8. The Casper Fownes-trained galloper dropped down from Class 3 level on October 11 and settled back over the 1650m after drawing wide. He ran on well for 4th, beaten just one length. 1800m should suit. There are a few last start winners in action, including DAZZLING FELLOW (8). He scored by nearly three lengths back on September 10 over the 1600m at Sha Tin and comes into this with a similar gap between runs. CLASSIC ARCHI (12) gets a crack at this level and loves the track and trip. He can be a factor with just the 52kg on his back. HAPPY ANGEL (7) might push forward from the gate and can stick on.

Selections: 1-8-12-7

Race 9

Some handy types feature in Race 9 and EXCELLENT PEERS (3) can go a couple of spots better than a last start effort that saw him place 3rd behind Lucky Archangel on October 4 at the track and trip. The Frankie Lor-trained galloper comes into this third up and gets the claim for Angus Chung. SIXTH GENERATION (4) can be a factor. The five-year-old resumed with a 4th behind Lightning Bolt on September 27 and strung together three wins over the 1650m late last season. 1200m might be a tad short but he is classy and should be strong late in the piece. STREET CONQUEROR (10) was a Class 4 winner over the 1200m here two starts ago before rising in grade and drawing wide when running on for 4th behind Lightning Bolt. He might settle a fraction closer in the run and is another that can loom up at the business end. SMOKEY BEAR (8) might push across from the barrier and can stick on for a first four finish.

Selections: 3-4-10-8

Race 10

We close off with a Class 3 over the 1650m and BIG RED (8) can end the day a winner. The former Queenslander is yet to register a win in his seven starts in HK but has placed in three and was solid over the 1400m last time when sticking on for 4th behind Taj Dragon and best form in HK seems to be out over the 1600m. He just needs to produce at his first go at Happy Valley. SPLENDID LIVING (4) is hard to ignore and dominated his rivals in two runs at Happy Valley late last season before resuming with a 3rd behind Hameron in September. The six-year-old draws perfectly in barrier 2. BRAVE DREAMS (2) had excuses last time when posted wide, finishing 8th at Sha Tin over the 1400m. He comes into this third up and should be ready to fire. JUNE PLANET (11) gets his shot at this level after two recent Class 4 wins and goes into multis & exotics.