Racing Tips

Happy Valley Racing Tips: Wednesday, May 19th

Tim Geers has highlighted five races he’s keen to bet in on tonight’s card at Happy Valley!

by
Tim Geers
18 May 2021

Hong Kong racing hits the Happy Valley circuit on Wednesday night, with a nine-race card set to kick off at 6.45pm local time.

Tonight’s racing at the Valley is on the B-course.

Tim Geers has assessed the meeting and highlighted five races he’s keen to bet in, including Race 1, Race 4, Race 5, Race 7 and Race 9.

Find his preview, tips and best bets for tonight’s racing below!

Best Bet: Race 7 – (7) Spontaneous

Race 1

Tan Shan River Hcp (C5) (1650m)
8:45pm (AEDT)

Race 1 Tan Shan River Hcp (C5) (1650m) 8:45pm (AEDT)
1. California Legend (11) J: M L Yeung (60.5kg) T: A S Cruz	23	20	19	19	20
2. Focus (6) J: C Wong (59.5kg) T: P Yiu	15	14	14	14	13.8
3. Baby Storm (2) J: K C Leung (58.5kg) T: L Ho	13	13	13	13	12.6
4. Red Majesty (8) J: Z Purton (58.5kg) T: D A Hayes	2.2	2.25	2.2	2.2	2.2
5. Wonder Express (5) J: C Y Ho (58.5kg) T: K H Ting	4.5	4.4	4.6	4.6	4.45
6. Virtus Star (10) J: C Schofield (57kg) T: F C Lor	21	21	21	21	20
7. Diamond Star (4) J: J Moreira (56.5kg) T: J J Size	7.5	8	8.5	8.5	7.9
8. Centenary Ibis (7) J: V Borges (56kg) T: A T Millard	18	18	18	18	17.6
9. Indigenous Star (9) J: R Maia (56kg) T: C W Chang	21	20	18	18	20
10. Wonderful Tiger (1) J: A Hamelin (55.5kg) T: W Y So	14	14	14	14	13.8
11. Strapping Bauhinia (3) J: M F Poon (52.5kg) T: Y S Tsui	15	19	17	17	16.6
12. Fire And Gold (12) J: H N Wong (51.5kg) T: C H Yip	67	67	71	71	63

Odds Last Updated: May 19, 2021, 8:56pm (AEDT)

Convinced there’s only three real chances to kick off the night.

(4) Red Majesty relished the step up to 1650m last start, following a good run prior to that over 1200m. He saluted over the track and distance last start and did so in a fashion which suggests he should be hard to beat again, despite a 2.5kg rise in the weights. It can be hard for horses to win back-to-back races with the handicapping system in Hong Kong, but he looks to find another winnable race.

(7) Diamond Star looks a complete set up job to my eye. He’s had three starts since he was given a let-up in February. On all three occasions, he’s drawn a wide gate and gone back to the rear of the field. He was also caught wide throughout last start. Suddenly, Moreira goes on tonight and he’s come up with barrier 4, so I really expect a sharp turnaround in his performance.

(10) Wonderful Tiger is capable. He’s first up tonight and he did run a place first up last prep. Barrier 1 helps and this is his pet track and distance, so include him in your numbers.

Tip: (4) Red Majesty $2.30 Bet365

Also Backing: (7) Diamond Star $8.00 TopSport

Betting Strategy: 2 units WIN Red Majesty, 1 unit WIN Diamond Star

Race 2

Tan Shan River Hcp (C5) (1650m)
9:15pm (AEDT)

Race 2 Tan Shan River Hcp (C5) (1650m) 9:15pm (AEDT)
1. E Honey (11) J: C Y Ho (60.5kg) T: C Fownes	11	10	11	11	9.9
2. President Star (7) J: K Teetan (58.5kg) T: C S Shum	5.5	5.5	6.5	6.5	5.4
3. Happy Ichiban (1) J: A Hamelin (58kg) T: D Whyte	5	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.1
4. Big Bang Bong (3) J: A Badel (56.5kg) T: C W Chang	6	6	5.5	5.5	5.4
5. Nitro Express (5) J: J Moreira (56kg) T: D Ferraris	3.4	3.6	3.3	3.6	3.25
6. Fox Cheunger (12) J: R Maia (55.5kg) T: K W Lui	67	61	51	51	55
7. Galaxy Racer (8) J: C Schofield (55.5kg) T: Richard Gibson	15	14	13	13	13.4
8. Smart Thinker (9) J: H Bentley (55kg) T: C H Yip	21	21	21	21	19.8
9. Rosse Scarpe (6) J: K C Leung (54.5kg) T: K L Man	81	81	81	81	73
10. Shinealot (4) J: V Borges (54.5kg) T: P D O'sullivan	18	16	15	15	15.6
11. Enjoyable Success (2) J: Alex Lai (53.5kg) T: Y S Tsui	15	17	19	19	16.8
12. Joy N Fun Legend (10) J: M Chadwick (51.5kg) T: T P Yung	15	15	14	14	14.2

Odds Last Updated: May 19, 2021, 9:17pm (AEDT)

Race 3

Nam Chung River Hcp (C4) (1000m)
9:45pm (AEDT)

Race 3 Nam Chung River Hcp (C4) (1000m) 9:45pm (AEDT)
1. Victory In Hand (7) J: K Teetan (60.5kg) T: K W Lui	5.5	5	5.5	5.5	5
2. Baltic Whisper (2) J: A K Chan (59.5kg) T: C S Shum	8.5	9.5	9	9	8.4
3. Panzerschreck (1) J: J Moreira (57.5kg) T: J J Size	13	12	11	11	12
4. Prince Of Bon Bon (8) J: M Chadwick (57.5kg) T: D Ferraris	51	51	51	51	49
5. Win Win Star (4) J: R Maia (57.5kg) T: P Yiu	8.5	7	7.5	7.5	8
6. Master Of Fun (12) J: Z Purton (56.5kg) T: C H Yip	9.5	9.5	10	10	9.4
7. Travel Datuk (6) J: M F Poon (56kg) T: Richard Gibson	7.5	7	5.5	5.5	6.3
8. Packing Champion (11) J: H N Wong (56kg) T: L Ho	31	26	31	31	28
9. Oversubscribed (3) J: A Badel (55kg) T: D J Hall	6	5	5.5	5.5	5.2
10. Faribault (10) J: V Borges (54kg) T: P D O'sullivan	71	67	67	67	63
11. Happily Friends (5) J: C Y Ho (52.5kg) T: K H Ting	3.9	4	4.4	4.4	3.95
12. Sea Monarch (9) J: M L Yeung (52kg) T: W Y So	91	81	81	81	77

Odds Last Updated: May 19, 2021, 9:47pm (AEDT)

Race 4

Shan Pui River Hcp (C4) (1200m)
10:15pm (AEDT)

Race 4 Shan Pui River Hcp (C4) (1200m) 10:15pm (AEDT)
1. Island Shine (9) J: A K Chan (60.5kg) T: P Yiu	17	16	15	16	14.6
2. Dragon Baby (6) J: C Schofield (60kg) T: J J Size	8.5	8.5	9	9	8.3
3. Good Shot (12) J: Z Purton (58.5kg) T: D J Hall	31	21	18	19	22
4. Just Not Listening (4) J: H Bentley (58.5kg) T: T P Yung	20	19	18	19	17.6
5. Flaming Passion (8) J: K Teetan (57.5kg) T: F C Lor	2.9	3	3	3	2.9
6. Ever Joy (2) J: M Chadwick (56.5kg) T: P D O'sullivan	51	41	34	34	40
7. Inno Legend (5) J: K C Leung (56.5kg) T: K L Man	6	6	6	6	5.4
8. Sight Hero (10) J: A Badel (55.5kg) T: D A Hayes	8	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.2
9. Universal Go Go (1) J: J Moreira (55.5kg) T: K W Lui	5	5.5	6	5.5	5.4
10. Fortune Carrier (11) J: C Y Ho (54kg) T: C S Shum	34	34	34	41	34
11. Split Of A Second (3) J: A Hamelin (53kg) T: W Y So	10	12	8.5	11	9.8
12. Seventh Sea (7) J: Alex Lai (51.5kg) T: D Ferraris	91	81	101	101	79

Odds Last Updated: May 19, 2021, 10:17pm (AEDT)

This is a really competitive Class 4 so I won’t be betting big here, but I think (6) Ever Joy is a blowout chance at $61. I backed him on debut when he had Zac Purton aboard, and he just raced so green. He showed several signs of being inexperienced, racing with his head on the side and then shifting in and out under pressure. I think his debut experience will bring him on plenty, and he hadn’t trialled all that bad leading into his debut. Barrier 2 is a positive tonight and at the huge odds, I’ll have a nickel each way.

Tip: (6) Ever Joy $61/$16 Sportsbet

Betting Strategy: 0.25 units E/W Ever Joy

Race 5

Shan Pui River Hcp (C4) (1200m)
10:45pm (AEDT)

Race 5 Shan Pui River Hcp (C4) (1200m) 10:45pm (AEDT)
1. Falcon Turbo (4) J: H Bentley (60.5kg) T: A T Millard	8	8	8	8	8
2. Jazz Steed (12) J: A K Chan (60.5kg) T: C Fownes	34	31	26	26	29.5
3. Ares (3) J: Z Purton (59.5kg) T: F C Lor	10	9.5	10	10	9.5
4. Loriz (2) J: R Maia (59.5kg) T: P Yiu	12	13	11	10	12
5. What A Legend (1) J: C Schofield (59.5kg) T: K H Ting	4.4	4.6	4.2	4.2	4.35
6. Telecom Rocket (5) J: M F Poon (58.5kg) T: Y S Tsui	6.5	6.5	6	6.5	6.5
7. Rhapsody (8) J: J Moreira (58kg) T: J J Size	2.9	2.8	3.5	3.5	2.95
8. Master Albert (9) J: A Hamelin (56kg) T: W Y So	18	17	18	18	17.4
9. Little Bird (7) J: Alex Lai (55.5kg) T: K L Man	71	61	71	71	61
10. Chikorita (10) J: K Teetan (55kg) T: C W Chang	20	18	21	21	18.6
11. Voyage Star (11) J: M L Yeung (51.5kg) T: T P Yung	51	41	61	61	45
12. Ourgoldenrules (6) J: M Chadwick (51.5kg) T: D Whyte	19	19	19	19	18.6

Odds Last Updated: May 19, 2021, 10:47pm (AEDT)

(7) Rhapsody surely wins tonight. He’s run well in both starts back from a spell, finishing 3^rd first up and 2^nd last start. The draw tonight is tricky but third up, he looks clearly the horse to beat.

(5) What A Legend gets a drop in class and barrier 1. His past six starts have been in Class 3, and he’s drawn wide in his past two, but his last victory came at this track and distance with Chad Schofield aboard from barrier 1, which is an identical set up to tonight.

(2) Ares gets Purton back aboard and this is his second start back in class, so expect some improvement there.

Tip: (7) Rhapsody $3.40 Bet365

Also Backing: (5) What A Legend $6.00 Ladbrokes

Betting Strategy: 1.5 units WIN Rhapsody, 0.5 units WIN What A Legend

Race 6

Tai Shing Stream Hcp (C4) (1650m)
11:15pm (AEDT)

Race 6 Tai Shing Stream Hcp (C4) (1650m) 11:15pm (AEDT)
1. More Than Enough (4) J: K Teetan (60.5kg) T: A S Cruz	5	4.6	5	5	4.8
2. Sincere Boy (6) J: K C Leung (60.5kg) T: P D O'sullivan	126	101	101	101	111
3. Royal Racer (5) J: A K Chan (59.5kg) T: C Fownes	16	14	13	13	14
4. Ming Warrior (1) J: C Schofield (59kg) T: D Ferraris	7	6.5	7	7	6.9
5. Seaweed Fortune (11) J: C Y Ho (59kg) T: K W Lui	7	7	7.5	7.5	6.8
6. Chater Pins (10) J: Z Purton (58.5kg) T: D A Hayes	9.5	8	9	9	8.6
7. Savvy Kingman (7) J: J Moreira (56kg) T: F C Lor	2.4	2.45	2.6	2.6	2.35
8. Super Bullet (3) J: M L Yeung (54.5kg) T: K H Ting	71	67	71	71	63
9. Super Hong Kong (8) J: M F Poon (53.5kg) T: A T Millard	18	16	17	17	16.6
10. Thunder Stomp (9) J: C Wong (53kg) T: Y S Tsui	14	13	13	13	12.4
11. All Best Friends (12) J: Alex Lai (52.5kg) T: K L Man	46	34	34	34	34
12. Light My Day (2) J: H N Wong (52kg) T: C H Yip	71	61	81	81	63

Odds Last Updated: May 19, 2021, 11:17pm (AEDT)

Race 7

Kam Tin River Hcp (C3) (1200m)
11:45pm (AEDT)

Race 7 Kam Tin River Hcp (C3) (1200m) 11:45pm (AEDT)
1. Joyful Union (7) J: R Maia (60.5kg) T: T P Yung	20	19	18	21	18.6
2. Be Ready (1) J: M F Poon (60kg) T: F C Lor	6.5	6.5	6.5	6	6.3
3. Yoo Yoo King (5) J: C Schofield (60kg) T: K H Ting	91	91	81	101	85
4. High Rise Soldier (10) J: A Badel (59.5kg) T: K W Lui	14	12	10	14	12.4
5. Lincoln Bright (2) J: K C Leung (59.5kg) T: Richard Gibson	81	81	51	71	73
6. Shouson (8) J: K Teetan (57kg) T: A T Millard	17	16	15	18	16.4
7. Spontaneous (4) J: Z Purton (56.5kg) T: P D O'sullivan	2	2.1	1.9	1.9	1.92
8. Amazing News (11) J: C Y Ho (56kg) T: C Fownes	17	17	14	18	16.4
9. Ping Hai Galaxy (9) J: A Hamelin (55.5kg) T: J J Size	23	21	26	26	22.5
10. Simply Fluke (6) J: M Chadwick (55kg) T: D Whyte	11	11	12	14	11.4
11. Here Comes Ted (3) J: J Moreira (53.5kg) T: D Ferraris	4.2	4.2	4.8	4.4	4.1

Odds Last Updated: May 19, 2021, 11:47pm (AEDT)

(7) Spontaneous steps up in grade tonight after back-to-back wins in Class 4. He’s not exactly been done many favours either, having to carry 56.5kg at his first go in this class. I think he’s good enough to overcome that though. He’s a horse on the up, gets a great draw in barrier 4 and his weight at least allows Purton to keep the ride on him.

Logical danger looks to be (11) Here Comes Ted at the bottom of the weights resuming with Joao Moreira aboard. He won twice in Class 4 earlier this season before failing at his first attempt in this class. He was sent for a break straight after it though. In his break he had throat surgery, so there’s every chance he can return a better horse. Drawn inside Spontaneous and no surprise to see him go very close.

Tip: (7) Spontaneous $3.30 Sportsbet

Also Backing: (11) Here Comes Ted $5.50 Bet365

Betting Strategy: 2 units WIN Spontaneous, 0.5 units WIN Here Comes Ted

Race 8

Kam Tin River Hcp (C3) (1200m)
12:15am (AEDT)

Race 8 Kam Tin River Hcp (C3) (1200m) 12:15am (AEDT)
1. Stock Legend (8) J: Z Purton (60.5kg) T: K W Lui	6.5	5.5	6	6	5.1
2. Mega Heart (7) J: M L Yeung (59.5kg) T: C W Chang	67	51	61	61	47
3. Special M (4) J: C Schofield (57.5kg) T: J J Size	8.5	8	10	10	7.8
4. The Runner (10) J: M F Poon (56.5kg) T: F C Lor	7	6.5	7	7	6
5. Transcendent (3) J: J Moreira (56kg) T: A S Cruz	3.5	3.3	3.6	3.6	3.15
6. Alcari (9) J: H Bentley (55.5kg) T: P Yiu	23	20	21	21	20.5
7. Stoicism (2) J: K Teetan (55.5kg) T: D Ferraris	3.6	4.2	4.2	4.2	4.1
8. Aurora Pegasus (6) J: C Y Ho (54.5kg) T: C Fownes	15	14	16	16	12
9. Eight Trigrams (11) J: H N Wong (53.5kg) T: D J Hall	71	61	61	61	53
10. Momentum Galaxy (1) J: A Hamelin (53.5kg) T: K H Ting	15	13	13	13	12.4
11. Mehboob (5) J: M Chadwick (53kg) T: P D O'sullivan	35	31	31	31	30

Odds Last Updated: May 20, 2021, 10:02am (AEDT)

Race 9

Lam Tsuen River Hcp (C3) (1800m)
12:50am (AEDT)

Race 9 Lam Tsuen River Hcp (C3) (1800m) 12:50am (AEDT)
1. Cinquante Cinq (10) J: M F Poon (60.5kg) T: T P Yung	27	26	21	21	20.5
2. Golden Spectrum (5) J: Z Purton (60kg) T: A S Cruz	8.5	6	7.5	7.5	5.3
3. World Famous (2) J: C Y Ho (58kg) T: P Yiu	8	8	8	8	8
4. Xiang Bai Qi (12) J: K Teetan (57.5kg) T: D Ferraris	10	9.5	10	10	8.7
5. Star Of Glory (7) J: H T Mo (56.5kg) T: C W Chang	201	126	151	151	121
6. Dynamic Eagle (11) J: A Hamelin (55.5kg) T: C S Shum	41	34	41	41	30
7. Entrusted (1) J: H Bentley (55.5kg) T: W Y So	17	19	15	15	16.6
8. Bundle Of Delight (3) J: K C Leung (55kg) T: D J Hall	21	17	19	19	17.4
9. Cheerful Days (4) J: A Badel (54kg) T: K W Lui	7.5	7.5	8	8	7.7
10. Superbella (6) J: J Moreira (54kg) T: F C Lor	2.4	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.45
11. Fast Pace (8) J: M Chadwick (53.5kg) T: C Fownes	10	10	10	10	9.7
12. Murray's Partners (9) J: C Wong (53kg) T: C H Yip	101	91	101	101	83

Odds Last Updated: May 20, 2021, 10:02am (AEDT)

Very small bet on (3) World Famous at double figure odds to end the night. He’s returning from a break tonight and has won over this track and distance in this class with a similar weight in the past, though it was well over a year ago. His trials have been good leading to his return and if he’s anywhere near his best, he’ll be competitive. Gets the right draw.

Tip: (3) World Famous $10/$3.20 Ladbrokes

Betting Strategy: 0.5 units E/W World Famous

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.