3 minute read
Selections and analysis for Wednesday's (08/01/25) 09-race fixture at Happy Valley
Race 1: #1 Cervin, #10 Podium, #6 Gold Tack, #2 Ivictoriam
Race 2: #12 Fortune Whiskey, #4 Golden Rise, #2 Street Conqueror, #11 Affirm
Race 3: #4 The Azure, #6 Foremost Teddy, #9 Ninja Derby, #2 Mighty Commander
Race 4: #1 Beauty Light, #11 Draco, #4 Sight Happy, #9 Circus Reel
Race 5: #8 Spirit Of Peace, #2 Circuit Duffy, #3 One For All, #4 Happy Park
Race 6: #11 Amazing Award, #10 Firefoot, #4 Smart City, #1 Harmony Galaxy
Race 7: #6 Moments In Time, #1 Happy Together, #10 Flamingo Trillion, #7 Helene Feeling
Race 8: #8 Spicy Gold, #3 A Americ Te Specso, #4 Eternal Fortune, #1 Kyrus Dragon
Race 9: #10 Toy Soltero, #1 Noble Pursuit, #4 Californiatotality, #6 Super Unicorn
Race 1 - PATERSON HANDICAP
#1 Cervin delivered his first win two starts ago in impressive fashion and was unlucky last start when he drew barrier 14, raced wide without cover from the 900m, and still attacked the line to miss by just a neck. A move to barrier 1 places him well to regain winning form. #10 Podium, a winner three starts ago, has endured tough wide draws in recent outings yet has performed admirably, including a strong late run into fourth last time. Barrier 8 offers him a better chance to feature. #6 Gold Tack ran last in his Class 5 debut but was badly held up in the straight and eased down late. With a clearer passage, he can improve, though barrier 11 presents a challenge. #2 Ivictoriam ran his best race to date on the downgrade last start, finishing third to Cervin, and appears to have found his level in Class 5.
Race 2 - GREAT GEORGE HANDICAP
#12 Fortune Whiskey has turned his form around since joining David Eustace's stable, overcoming wide draws in his last two starts to finish strongly. His fourth to Super Legends, who won again at Sha Tin on Sunday, is terrific form. Drawing barrier 2 this time, he has a better chance to position closer and maximise his chances. #4 Golden Rise is edging closer to another win after narrowly missing last start. With Zac Purton aboard and blinkers applied for the first time by trainer John Size, he looks well-placed to strike. #2 Street Conqueror impressed with a first-up win for Mark Newnham two starts ago and ran on well from a wide draw when eighth second-up. Back to barrier 1, he should rebound with a strong showing. #11 Affirm has been runner-up in his last two starts and will again adopt his customary front-running role.
Race 3 - KINGSTON HANDICAP
#4 The Azure is in sparkling form and aims for a hat-trick of wins, looking the one they all need to topple. #6 Foremost Teddy had genuine excuses last start as the beaten favourite, racing wide without cover throughout. Moving into barrier 2 provides every opportunity to bounce back into contention. #9 Ninja Derby is searching for his first victory in this class but has been racing consistently this season. His last-start fifth as the beaten favourite was better than it appears on paper, and Zac Purton remaining in the saddle instills confidence. #2 Mighty Commander has been sliding down the ratings but has shown improvement since dropping into Class 4, and the step up in distance is expected to enhance his chances.
Race 4 - GREAT GEORGE HANDICAP
#1 Beauty Light, a progressive four-year-old for the John Size stable, won convincingly second-up and appears poised to repeat the feat as he continues his upward trajectory. #11 Draco resumes first-up under trainer Ricky Yiu after moving from Francis Lui's yard. He has shown promise in trials and could improve with a low draw in barrier 3 and a gear adjustment. #4 Sight Happy faces a tricky task from barrier 11 but finally broke through for his maiden win in style last start, after threatening on multiple occasions. #9 Circus Reel has been finishing well over 1000m and should benefit from stepping up to 1200m, with barrier 1 giving him an ideal chance to feature.
Race 5 - GREAT GEORGE HANDICAP
#8 Spirit Of Peace caught the eye on debut, finishing a promising fifth, beaten just a length by Super Legends. He should improve significantly second-up for the John Size stable, and the booking of Zac Purton adds further appeal. #2 Circuit Duffy was forced to work early from barrier 9 last start, racing handy in second before fading late to finish eighth, beaten a little over three lengths. A course-and-distance winner two starts ago, he remains lightly raced and moves into barrier 1, which should ensure a more economical trip. #3 One For All is much better suited at this course and distance. Drawing barrier 3, he will likely take up the running and make his own luck on the pace. #4 Happy Park brings strong Sha Tin form to this contest and has demonstrated tactical versatility. With a good amount of speed anticipated on paper, his adaptability could prove decisive.
Race 6 - KINGSTON HANDICAP
#11 Amazing Award was an eye-catching fast-finishing sixth last start despite being severely checked at the start. His form has improved since joining David Eustace's stable this season, suggesting a win is imminent. #10 Firefoot gains the Zac Purton advantage and has shown marked improvement this season, and a strong trial win since his last start has him in good order. #4 Smart City had excuses last time from a wide gate, but his prior effort signalled a win in this grade is within reach. Barrier 3 should help him get back on track. #1 Harmony Galaxy overcame barrier 12 last start to produce a big run into third. With a kinder draw here, he could map closer in running, as he has shown previously.
Race 7 - THE JANUARY CUP (HANDICAP)
#6 Moments In Time has endured tough barrier draws in four starts this season but moves into a mid-draw here. He caught the eye with a strong late run into second behind Chill Chibi at this course and distance last time, and he is ready to bounce back for a win. #1 Happy Together faces a hefty weight increase compared to his win in this race last year, but his form is excellent, including a close fifth in the G1 Hong Kong Mile last start. Returning to Happy Valley, where he boasts two wins and a second from three runs, he is a major player. #10 Flamingo Trillion is a course and distance specialist with three wins from five starts. Though out of the handicap, he benefits from a lightweight and cannot be overlooked. #7 Helene Feeling will thrive off a genuine tempo, and while winless in 399 days, his second to Karma two starts ago was encouraging.
Race 8 - CAUSEWAY HANDICAP
#8 Spicy Gold returns to the races following a luckless fifth-place effort under Yuga Kawada in an IJC race over a month ago. He was severely held up inside the final 300m and never had a clear shot, finishing 4.25 lengths behind Aurora Lady, which is strong form, and drawn ideally in barrier 3, he can atone. #3 A Americ Te Specso can be slow out of the gates but is well-suited stepping up to 1200m second-up after closing strongly for fourth over 1000m on his return. #4 Eternal Fortune has been knocking on the door for his first Hong Kong win, having placed in three of his four local starts, all over 1000m. The step up to 1200m now looks like the perfect fit for him to break through. #1 Kyrus Dragon is another with solid Aurora Lady form, and while his ninth-place finish last time may appear modest, he was held up inside the final 100m and had more to offer.
Race 9 - CLEVELAND HANDICAP
#10 Toy Soltero looks poised to secure his first Hong Kong win with Zac Purton aboard the first time. Returning to a course and distance where he finished a promising third two starts ago, he has drawn ideally in barrier 2 to get every chance. #1 Noble Pursuit has a strong first-up record, having won two of his four career victories fresh, and reuniting with Hugh Bowman enhances his prospects. #4 Californiatotality impressed last start, claiming his second win from four starts this season at his first attempt over this distance. He appears to have further improvement in him. #6 Super Unicorn has shown ability and, despite being beaten as favourite in his last three outings (including one on protest), the step up in trip should suit him well as a son of Savabeel.
