Best Bets | Happy Valley, 13 April 2022

Stock Legend | (Happy Valley Race 9 No.9) / Armour Eagle | (Happy Valley Race 9 No.3)

Cracking race to finish the night. Stock Legend gets a nice little swing on Eason of 4kg and he also has drawn wide. Our bloke did all the chasing last start and just couldn’t match Eason on the side and sprint after he decided to take a sit instead of leading. He may not get the same circumstances which gives out bloke an advantage, especially being out of barrier one. If they lead with Eason, he will get weary late in the run, especially with weight, so we are a chance to knock him off. Armour Eagle was disappointing last start, but he was found to have substantial mucus in his trachea, which makes his 1.5 length seventh better than what it looked. He is drawn perfectly and will get a tremendous run throughout and is also a massive chance to knock off Eason.

Suggested bet: 1 unit @ $4.20 / 0.6 unit @ $7.00

Above All | (Happy Valley Race 1 No.2)

This bloke stepped back to the 1000m last start after a few 1200m runs and didn’t he feel at home! He definitely rated well from that run and was running home better than the winner, who may just be the favourite in the next race. He is drawn to do little work to hold a spot and should be thereabouts once again.

Suggested bet: 1.6 units @ $2.60

Universal Crown | (Happy Valley Race 2 No.2)

Just like the previous race, I am banking on their last start battle with Viva Mama as the main reason they go close. Was coming home like a rocket and I suspect may have been just too far off. Not sure where they are going to settle off this draw but there is a lot of pace in the race, so Shinn should be able to find a nice spot. He meets Viva Mama 2.5kg better off and we will need every gram with Viva Mama drawing the inside. We will be flying in the straight with luck.

Suggested bet: 0.5 unit @ $8.50

Nordic Combined | (Happy Valley Race 3 No.4)

I loved the way this bloke finished off his race last start and with similar or worse opposition here, I am expecting a solid run. He was hampered a touch at the start in his previous run and ended up settling further back than I think they intended from the inside but still made solid enough ground to finish fourth. I expect them to sit a touch closer this time out and really be a solid chance in the closing stages.

Suggested bet: 0.7 unit @ $6.00

Nearly Fine | (Happy Valley Race 4 No.3) / Nicholson Returns | (Happy Valley Race 4 No.11)

Close your eyes if you go to watch Nearly Fine’s last start. He was held up at the 400m mark and against from the 250m – 200m mark before picking up and finishing the race off well into third. By the time he did get his revs up, it was race over. Unfortunately, due to his draw, he will have to race similarly and either play for luck or go around, either way, he will be coming late. Nicholson Returns is one that I thought trialled up well. I know trial form doesn’t always produce winners, but sometimes it can (Enchanting Ibis last Sunday). In his last start, he came off heels multiple times before going wide and finishing well, well second best last 200m of the race well. Drawn terribly and will need luck, but off that run and his trial, he can run a big one.

Suggested bet: 1 unit @ $4.20 / 0.4 unit @ $13.00

Sight Hero | (Happy Valley Race 5 No.6) / Charming Steed | (Happy Valley Race 5 No.2)

I thought Sight Hero would have broken a run of near-misses at Happy Valley in March, but he was scratched due to a heart irregularity. He has since trialled well, being well held throughout after crossing early, with no sign of distress. He is drawn well to get a nice run throughout, and he could finally get the win they are looking for. Charming Steed is also first-up but with no trials. He copped nothing but bad luck last start and wasn’t able to perform to his best, so I am putting a line through it. He is drawn okay but he gets the blinkers for the first time and Joao Moreira is on for the first time, so I am taking notice. Figures-wise, he should run a solid race.

Suggested bet: 1 unit @ $4.20 / 1.2 units @ $3.40

HK Dragon | (Happy Valley Race 6 No.7)

HK Dragon was last start after a master ride by Zac Purton due to the awkward draw and lack of pace. He faces the same circumstances here, drawing the widest barrier and there is average speed. He has since trialled really well, and they were prominent in the trial before zooming away. I have a feeling they may try and head forward from the draw, so they don’t have to sustain such a long run this time out. Time will tell.

Suggested bet: 1.4 units @ $3.00

California Redwood | (Happy Valley Race 8 No.9) / Party Warrior | (Happy Valley Race 8 No.5)

If you get a chance, have a look at California Redwood’s last run, he was a blinder behind Lucky Sweynesse. I took serious note of that run being his first run in Hong Kong but I really hope he wasn’t aided by the rain on the night but past form suggests no. He also was suited to a nice pace, which he may not get here but his closing sectionals in his first start cannot be ignored. The draw is okay due to his running style but depending on how he goes, he probably already wants further. He will be coming late, and I couldn’t leave him out. Party Warrior gets a nice swing on Seizing The Moment from the last time they met (3kg) and is drawn to run another big race. Purton retains and they have added the cheek-pieces which will aid this bloke in the straight.

Suggested bet: 0.7 unit @ $6.00 / 1.1 units @ $3.80

Total Units Used: 12.5 units