March 5 Hong Kong (Happy Valley) form analysis
Race 1 (2,200m)
Race 1 (2,200m)
2 California Moxie drops into Class 5 for the first time while also stepping up in distance. Hugh Bowman rides him from barrier 2, where he is poised to receive a cosy run. Improvement expected.
1 Smashing Express looks ready to break his maiden, with the step-up in trip suitable for him. The booking of Ryan Moore adds further confidence.
6 Gold Tack has slid down the ratings and is beginning to show improvement. He finished third two starts ago, before a wide barrier last time saw him settle back and charge home late into fourth.
8 Super Hong Kong ran fourth at his last three starts, including one over this trip. His last win also came in a Class 4 race over this trip in July 2023. Keep an eye on him.
Race 2 (1,200m)
Race 2 (1,200m)
10 Lucky Planet piques interest on his stable debut for Cody Mo. He could recapture his best form, having led all the way five starts ago to score. Barrier 1 is a plus.
11 Harmony N Home has endured a tough run of wide draws this season but certainly has what it takes to figure. Moving into a mid-draw in gate 5 should afford him a much better run in transit.
5 E Universe also steps out for a new stable, transferring from Mo to Caspar Fownes. His trial showed promise. Expect improvement.
1 Happy United is having his third run back in Class 4 and always looks a chance in a race like this. The booking of Bowman adds further confidence.
Race 3 (1,650m)
Race 3 (1,650m)
3 Glorious Success tries Happy Valley for the first time and looks primed to break through. His form is exceptional, and he can get on the board with Moore.
2 Samarkand finds a race with little early speed engaged, giving him the chance to roll forward and dictate from barrier 4.
5 Ivy League is another who can take up a handy position, and his last-start third to Soleil Fighter is a strong form reference after that horse won easily again last week.
6 Super Unicorn ran second last time. In this smaller field, he deserves a winning chance.
Race 4 (1,200m)
Race 4 (1,200m)
4 Dragon Four Seas makes his Happy Valley debut and brings strong form since breaking through three starts ago. He then finished second and third in stronger races at Sha Tin. He gets barrier 1 and Bowman in the saddle, making him the one to beat.
1 Endued drops into Class 4 for the first time, and his late-closing efforts in Class 3 suggest he can measure up in a weaker contest.
11 Super Charizzard draws nicely in barrier 4 and, with a sweet run in transit, he will get his chance to figure in the finish.
5 Loveisintheair debuts for the John Size stable. His trials have not been standouts, but he is well-prepared and could surprise.
Race 5 (1,200m)
Race 5 (1,200m)
1 Golden Rise will have to earn it from barrier 10, but he is knocking on the door for another win, having finished second at his last three starts. He is the one to beat.
6 Colourful Winner may be suited by the switch to Happy Valley for the first time, having shown good form at Sha Tin despite the wide barriers. Gate 4 can help.
7 Spicy Spangle is an intriguing runner stepping out for Mo for the first time. His trial was strong, and he can lead all the way.
4 Star Figure is a newcomer for Jamie Richards and has caught the eye in his trial. Winning first-up at Happy Valley is no easy feat, but he should acquit himself well.
Race 6 (1,800m)
Race 6 (1,800m)
5 Mission Strike is improving with racing and he looks ready to strike third-up. Last time, he closed in nicely into third. Barrier 4 should afford him the right run for Luke Ferraris to extract a win from Mark Newnham’s three-year-old.
1 Beauty Alliance can still improve, and this marks his second attempt at Happy Valley after an excusable first try two starts ago when caught wide throughout.
11 Hakka Radiance is on the quick back-up after running second over 2,200m last week. Barrier 10 is awkward, but his form is strong enough to keep him in contention.
2 Can’t Go Wong had no luck last start, but he is better suited back at this course and distance, especially from barrier 2.
Race 7 (1,200m)
Race 7 (1,200m)
4 Sunny Da Best comes to the city circuit for the first time and will be looking to go one better after his narrow defeat last time.
8 Beauty Infinity has had plenty of chances in Class 3 but looks to have returned in great order. Barrier 2 can help.
6 Romantic Son was caught wide throughout over 1,400m at Sha Tin last time but stuck on gamely for sixth. He has since trialled well, and a return to this course and distance looks key to his chances.
3 Francis Meynell has drawn wide in his four Hong Kong starts, but his form is encouraging. A mid-draw will help turn his luck around.
Race 8 (1,650m)
Race 8 (1,650m)
7 Wah May Wai Wai was used up early from a wide draw last time, so he weakened in the straight. The speed map is in his favour, and he should give a sight.
8 Sky Vino is trending in the right direction, having finished third in his last three races. He will be up on the pace again and gets his chance to break through.
10 Jumbo Fortune is on the quick back-up after a narrow second over this course and distance last week. He is only a one-time winner from 50 local starts, but David Eustace has him racing well.
4 Happy Daily has a strong jockey booking with Moore and can show second-up improvement after running fourth over this track and trip first-up. He is in good form and will be making his usual late bid.
Race 9 (1,200m)
Race 9 (1,200m)
2 Eason is well drawn in barrier 4 under Bowman and is set to receive all the favours. He has been in solid form this season, notching three placings from four starts, and a win looks close.
5 Spicy Gold attempted to break through in Class 3, but found one too good on two occasions, including in his last start. This looks to be an ideal race for him to break through in the grade.
8 Legendary Impact was unwanted in the betting on debut and ran fourth, but the way he found the line late was encouraging. The step-up to 1,200m should suit.
4 Sports Legend will strip fitter second-up after fading late into fifth first-up. He will be up on the pace from barrier 1 and should give a sight.
Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
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