Racing Tips

Happy Valley Racing Tips: Sunday, November 8th

It’s a rare Sunday meeting at Happy Valley this week, with a 10-race card on the city track. Tim Geers has selections for five races below.

by
Tim Geers
8 November 2020

It’s a rare Sunday meeting at Happy Valley in Hong Kong this week, with a 10-race card on the city track.

Tim Geers has highlighted five races he’s keen to bet in – Race 3, Race 5, Race 6, Race 7 and Race 9.

Find his preview and selections below.

Race 1

Obrien Hcp (C5) (1650m)
4:00pm (AEDT)

Race 1 Obrien Hcp (C5) (1650m) 4:00pm (AEDT)
1. Humble Steed (10) J: K Teetan (60.5kg) T: T P Yung	9	9.5	9.3
2. Bulb Elite (12) J: Z Purton (60kg) T: C H Yip	9	7.5	8.6
3. Star Win (9) J: C Y Ho (60kg) T: D Whyte	61	51	59
4. Wonderful Tiger (1) J: C Schofield (58.5kg) T: W Y So	6	6	5.8
5. Smiling Success (2) J: M F Poon (58kg) T: K H Ting	7.5	9	8.3
6. President Star (11) J: A K Chan (57.5kg) T: C S Shum	61	61	59
7. Nitro Express (8) J: N Callan (56.5kg) T: D Ferraris	19	17	18.2
8. Wonder Win (6) J: K C Leung (56kg) T: L Ho	27	26	25.5
9. Treasure Chest (3) J: V Borges (55kg) T: P Yiu	5	5	4.95
10. Virtus Star (5) J: A Badel (54kg) T: F C Lor	4.5	4.6	4.5
11. Winners Brother (4) J: M L Yeung (53kg) T: K L Man	15	12	13.6
12. Keep Winning (7) J: A Hamelin (52.5kg) T: C W Chang	23	26	25

Odds Last Updated: December 3, 2020, 12:51am (AEDT)

Race 2

Luard Hcp (C4) (1800m)
4:30pm (AEDT)

Race 2 Luard Hcp (C4) (1800m) 4:30pm (AEDT)
1. Ezra (3) J: T Piccone (60.5kg) T: A T Millard	13	15	14.8
2. Magnetism (1) J: B Shinn (60.5kg) T: D Ferraris	71	81	69
3. Methane (6) J: N Callan (59.5kg) T: D Ferraris	9	10	9.2
4. Shadow Breaker (5) J: C Schofield (58kg) T: K H Ting	12	12	11.2
5. Dynamic Eagle (11) J: A Badel (57kg) T: C S Shum	26	26	26.5
6. Thunder Stomp (2) J: C Wong (56kg) T: Y S Tsui	31	31	30
7. Indigenous Star (12) J: Z Purton (55kg) T: C W Chang	13	13	13
8. Crown Avenue (7) J: A Hamelin (54.5kg) T: C H Yip	8.5	8	8.6
9. Exaltation (9) J: K Teetan (54.5kg) T: A S Cruz	5	5	5
10. Kungfumaster Panda (8) J: K C Leung (54.5kg) T: P D O'sullivan	12	13	12
11. Pretty Bauhinia (10) J: M F Poon (53.5kg) T: Y S Tsui	41	41	41
12. Nunchuks (4) J: C Y Ho (52.5kg) T: C Fownes	34	31	31

Odds Last Updated: November 9, 2020, 12:07am (AEDT)

Race 3

Johnston Hcp (C4) (1200m)
5:00pm (AEDT)

Race 3 Johnston Hcp (C4) (1200m) 5:00pm (AEDT)
1. Loriz (3) J: K Teetan (60.5kg) T: P Yiu
2. Oriental Amigo (6) J: H N Wong (60kg) T: Y S Tsui
3. Honest Way (2) J: M L Yeung (58kg) T: K L Man
4. Day Day Rich (5) J: H T Mo (57.5kg) T: T P Yung
5. Good Shot (1) J: C Schofield (57.5kg) T: D J Hall
6. My Ecstatic (9) J: Z Purton (56.5kg) T: F C Lor
7. Gallant Crown (11) J: A Hamelin (56kg) T: A T Millard
8. Shining On (8) J: C Y Ho (53.5kg) T: K W Lui
9. Wood On Fire (12) J: K C Leung (53kg) T: L Ho
10. Courageous Dragon (4) J: A Badel (52kg) T: W Y So
11. Destine Jewellery (7) J: V Borges (51.5kg) T: J J Size
12. Fantastic Fabio (10) J: M F Poon (51.5kg) T: C H Yip

Odds Last Updated: November 9, 2020, 12:07am (AEDT)

We see a nice debutant here for Frankie Lor and Zac Purton in the form of (6) My Ecstatic. Purton has ridden this horse in all three of his trials and he won the most recent one of those. He draws awkwardly here in barrier 9 but with some luck he looks well-placed.

(10) Courageous Dragon was sound first up in a fast race and draws well in barrier 4. He can go close at $6.50.

(1) Loriz is well-placed back in grade, (8) Shining On next best.

Tip: (6) My Ecstatic $2.70 Bet365

Race 4

Jaffe Hcp (C4) (1000m)
5:30pm (AEDT)

Race 4 Jaffe Hcp (C4) (1000m) 5:30pm (AEDT)
1. Jazz Steed (12) J: C Schofield (60.5kg) T: C Fownes	5	4.4	4.7
2. Momentum Galaxy (4) J: K C Leung (60.5kg) T: K H Ting	6	7	6.9
3. Gratwick (8) J: H T Mo (59.5kg) T: T P Yung
4. Wild West Wing (3) J: K Teetan (58.5kg) T: J J Size	2.7	2.5	2.55
5. Harmony N Blessed (5) J: B Shinn (57.5kg) T: D A Hayes
6. Romantic Trove (11) J: T Piccone (57.5kg) T: W Y So	19	21	18.4
7. Garlic Hero (2) J: A K Chan (55.5kg) T: C H Yip	51	51	49
8. Winner's Heart (9) J: N Callan (55.5kg) T: F C Lor	7	10	7.9
9. Viva Chef (7) J: M F Poon (54kg) T: L Ho	27	26	25.5
10. Travel Datuk (6) J: A Badel (53.5kg) T: Richard Gibson
11. Gouten Of Garo (1) J: V Borges (53kg) T: D Ferraris	5	6	5.8
12. Destin (10) J: C Wong (52.5kg) T: P D O'sullivan	31	26	29.5

Odds Last Updated: December 3, 2020, 12:51am (AEDT)

Race 5

Lockhart Hcp (C4) (1650m)
6:00pm (AEDT)

Race 5 Lockhart Hcp (C4) (1650m) 6:00pm (AEDT)
1. Glorious Lover (9) J: A Badel (60.5kg) T: Y S Tsui	12	12	12
2. Villa Fionn (4) J: A Hamelin (60kg) T: P Yiu	7.5	8	7.4
3. All You Know (5) J: K Teetan (59kg) T: Richard Gibson	8.5	7.5	7.6
4. Charity Wings (10) J: C Wong (59kg) T: C S Shum	41	34	40
5. Kiram (3) J: N Callan (59kg) T: D Ferraris	46	41	41
6. Incanto Prepared (8) J: T Piccone (56kg) T: J J Size	7	7.5	7
7. King Dragon (7) J: Z Purton (56kg) T: K L Man	3.2	3.1	3.15
8. Universal Go Go (12) J: C Y Ho (56kg) T: K W Lui	5.5	5.5	5.5
9. Daily Beauty (1) J: M L Yeung (55.5kg) T: C Fownes	12	12	12
10. Fearless Fire (11) J: B Shinn (55kg) T: D A Hayes	26	26	25
11. Big Bang Bong (6) J: V Borges (53.5kg) T: C W Chang	51	41	49
12. Alloy Star (2) J: H T Mo (53kg) T: T P Yung	201	201	201

Odds Last Updated: November 9, 2020, 12:07am (AEDT)

Hoping today is the day for (7) King Dragon, who is a horse I’ve always had some time for, but he’s just struggled to break through. He’s a 12-start maiden but that’s not necessarily unusual for Hong Kong. Both runs this time in have been sound and he finds the right race today.

(2) Villa Fion must be included, he comes out of that same race as King Dragon last start and he ran home in almost the exact same splits as the Dragon.

(3) All You Know is racing in good form and must be included, while (9) Daily Beauty draws gate 1 which is a big advantage on the A-course.

Tip:(7) King Dragon $2.30 Pointsbet

Race 6

Johnston Hcp (C4) (1200m)
6:35pm (AEDT)

Race 6 Johnston Hcp (C4) (1200m) 6:35pm (AEDT)
1. Kinda Cool (12) J: Z Purton (60.5kg) T: F C Lor	3.8	3.9	3.8
2. Simply Fluke (8) J: A Badel (60kg) T: D Whyte	5.5	5.5	5.5
3. Focus (7) J: M F Poon (58.5kg) T: P Yiu	19	19	19
4. Lucky Quality (10) J: C Schofield (58.5kg) T: C Fownes	8.5	8.5	8.4
5. Cigary (3) J: Alex Lai (56.5kg) T: Y S Tsui	101	101	101
6. Voyage Star (11) J: M L Yeung (56kg) T: T P Yung	14	15	14
7. Noble Man (4) J: V Borges (53kg) T: J J Size	34	51	41
8. Wins All (9) J: K Teetan (53kg) T: W Y So	5	5	4.95
9. Great Son (2) J: C Wong (52kg) T: P D O'sullivan	7.5	6.5	6.6
10. Regency Poet (5) J: K C Leung (52kg) T: K L Man	10	8.5	10
11. Gorgeous Inheritor (1) J: H N Wong (51.5kg) T: C H Yip	81	71	79
12. Vega Rhythm (6) J: H T Mo (51.5kg) T: L Ho	101	101	101

Odds Last Updated: November 9, 2020, 12:07am (AEDT)

Two horses I’ll be backing here in a competitive Class 4 over 1200m. (9) Great Son gets his chance today. He’s drawn ideally in barrier 2, with all of his main rivals drawn out wide. He carries 49.5kg with the claim, this is his pet track and distance and he comes off a sound effort last start. If they can use the gate, he can give this a very good shake. (1) Kinda Cool is the other I’ll be on. I was on him first up when he started the $2.30 favourite, but he was caught three-wide the trip and faded on his run to finish 4^th. He’s drawn the carpark again today but if Purton can slot in, he’s probably the best horse in the race. Respect his SP from that last run and I’m confident he’s got the other horses coming out of that race covered.

Tip: (9) Great Son $5.50 Bet365

Also backing: (1) Kinda Cool $4.00 Bet365

Race 7

Harbour Hcp (C3) (1650m)
7:05pm (AEDT)

Race 7 Harbour Hcp (C3) (1650m) 7:05pm (AEDT)
1. Flying Quest (5) J: C Schofield (60.5kg) T: D J Hall	8.5	9	8.6
2. Uncle Steve (10) J: K Teetan (59kg) T: D Whyte	8.5	9	8.1
3. Holy Heart (1) J: Z Purton (58.5kg) T: K W Lui	5.5	6	5.9
4. Sacred Ibis (2) J: A Badel (58.5kg) T: A T Millard	4.5	4.4	4.4
5. Helene Wisdom Star (12) J: N Callan (57.5kg) T: A S Cruz	10	10	9.8
6. Jolly Honour (11) J: H T Mo (57.5kg) T: Y S Tsui	51	51	49
7. Win Win (6) J: C Y Ho (57kg) T: T P Yung	10	10	9.9
8. Prince Of Frog (4) J: M F Poon (56kg) T: L Ho	9.5	9	9.5
9. Wealthy Delight (3) J: A Hamelin (53.5kg) T: J J Size	8	8.5	8.1
10. Telecom Elite (9) J: H N Wong (53kg) T: P D O'sullivan	251	201	221
11. Happy Warrior (7) J: M L Yeung (52kg) T: C Fownes	81	81	79
12. Charizard (8) J: V Borges (51.5kg) T: D Ferraris	8.5	9	9.4

Odds Last Updated: December 3, 2020, 12:51am (AEDT)

Barrier 1 over the 1650m on the A-course is gold, with 10 winners from the last 54 starters – a 19% strike rate and the highest of any barrier. That gives (3) Holy Heart every chance first up here. He’s placed in five of his 10 starts in Hong Kong but is yet to crack it for a win. Purton on first up and three trials leading in suggests they have him set for this and I’d be surprised if he wasn’t right in the finish from that gate. $6.00 looks a good bet.

(12) Charizard looks slightly over the odds at $15 second up from a spell, returning to Happy Valley after finishing midfield at Sha Tin last start. He’s on the brink of a class drop but might go well here.

(4) Sacred Ibis is the favourite and was beaten a short head last start. He draws barrier 2 which also gives him every chance, and third up last prep he was only narrowly defeated. Gets his chance.

Tip: (3) Holy Heart E/W $6.00 Bet365

Race 8

Fleming Hcp (C3) (1000m)
7:35pm (AEDT)

Race 8 Fleming Hcp (C3) (1000m) 7:35pm (AEDT)
1. Ima Single Man (9) J: A K Chan (60.5kg) T: A S Cruz	12	14	12.6
2. Mr Lumieres (3) J: C Y Ho (59.5kg) T: D J Hall	34	31	31
3. Harmony And Rich (11) J: Z Purton (57.5kg) T: W Y So	3.9	4.2	4.15
4. Man Star (4) J: C Schofield (56.5kg) T: K H Ting	8	8.5	7.8
5. Prince Of Bon Bon (2) J: N Callan (56.5kg) T: D Ferraris	201	151	141
6. Moment Of Power (12) J: H N Wong (56kg) T: P D O'sullivan	67	71	65
7. Exceed The Stars (6) J: H T Mo (56kg) T: C S Shum	19	21	20
8. Heart Conquered (10) J: A Badel (56kg) T: Richard Gibson
9. Ruby Stars (8) J: Alex Lai (55kg) T: K L Man	18	15	16.8
10. We The South (1) J: V Borges (55kg) T: F C Lor	5.5	4.8	5.3
11. Diamond Brilliant (5) J: A Hamelin (54kg) T: T P Yung	12	12	11.4
12. Telecom Puma (7) J: M L Yeung (51.5kg) T: C Fownes	23	31	25.5

Odds Last Updated: December 3, 2020, 12:51am (AEDT)

Race 9

Gloucester Hcp (C3) (1200m)
8:10pm (AEDT)

Race 9 Gloucester Hcp (C3) (1200m) 8:10pm (AEDT)
1. Californiadeepshot (5) J: C Wong (60.5kg) T: A S Cruz	4.6	5	4.8
2. Sunset Watch (4) J: A Badel (59kg) T: K W Lui	6.5	6.5	6.8
3. Perfect Glory (1) J: N Callan (57kg) T: C Fownes	13	15	13
4. Chicken Dance (3) J: K Teetan (56kg) T: P D O'sullivan	4.4	4.6	4.35
5. Wine And Wine (10) J: C Y Ho (56kg) T: C S Shum	41	41	41
6. Poised To Strike (9) J: B Shinn (55.5kg) T: D A Hayes	41	31	34
7. Starz Hero (8) J: H T Mo (55kg) T: Y S Tsui	301	201	261
8. Ares (7) J: Z Purton (53.5kg) T: F C Lor	5	5.5	4.95
9. Compassion Spirit (2) J: M L Yeung (53.5kg) T: K L Man	5	5	5.6
10. First Responder (11) J: A Hamelin (53kg) T: D Whyte	21	21	21
11. Takingufurther (12) J: M F Poon (52.5kg) T: K H Ting	101	101	99
12. Happy Good Guys (6) J: V Borges (51.5kg) T: P Yiu	17	21	19

Odds Last Updated: November 9, 2020, 12:07am (AEDT)

Great little race this! (8) Ares won well first up from a spell, carrying top weight in Class 4. There’s been five subsequent winners out of that race, so the form is very strong. He rises to Class 3 now and Purton gets down to his minimum weight to keep the ride.

He also jumps off (4) Chicken Dance to stick with Ares. I do concede that Chicken Dance’s form behind Winning Dreamer looks very strong for this race, but I’m going to stick with Ares.

(3) Perfect Glory is the value at $12. He’s undefeated from three starts when first up from a spell and he draws barrier 1.

(1) Californiadeepshot is always a chance in these types of races and even (9) Compassion Spirit draws well to run a good race. Competitive!

Tip: (8) Ares $3.50 Unibet

Value: (3) Perfect Glory $12 Bet365

Race 10

Fenwick Hcp (C2) (1200m)
8:45pm (AEDT)

Race 10 Fenwick Hcp (C2) (1200m) 8:45pm (AEDT)
1. Shining Ace (5) J: C Schofield (60.5kg) T: J J Size	21	19	19.6
2. Shining Gem (1) J: K C Leung (58kg) T: P Yiu	12	14	11.8
3. Gunnison (4) J: H N Wong (56kg) T: Y S Tsui	15	10	14.6
4. Good Luck Friend (2) J: A Hamelin (56kg) T: P Yiu	5.5	5	5.4
5. Highland Fortune (10) J: Z Purton (55kg) T: K W Lui	3.6	3.8	3.7
6. All In Mind (7) J: K Teetan (54.5kg) T: A S Cruz	6	7.5	6.4
7. Golden Dash (6) J: A Badel (54kg) T: C S Shum	6	6	5.9
8. Green Aeon (9) J: N Callan (54kg) T: C Fownes	15	13	13.4
9. Beauty Amigo (11) J: C Y Ho (53kg) T: D A Hayes	81	81	71
10. Saul's Special (3) J: V Borges (53kg) T: C W Chang	46	31	45
11. Sparkling Dragon (12) J: M F Poon (52.5kg) T: A T Millard	13	15	13.8
12. Team Spirit (8) J: M L Yeung (52.5kg) T: W Y So	67	51	59

Odds Last Updated: November 9, 2020, 12:07am (AEDT)

Tim Geers

A trip to Hong Kong quickly had Tim hooked to the racing caper, maintaining the best place anywhere in the world on a Wednesday night is Happy Valley. He holds a strong interest in the Hong Kong form, along with the metropolitan racing in Sydney and Melbourne. He’s a fan of dry tracks, Zac Purton and takes particular interest in identifying patterns in the form. Tim wears many hats, juggling the roles of form analyst, jockey manager and racehorse owner.