Best Bets | Happy Valley, 16 February 2022

Eason (Happy Valley Race 8 No.8)

This sets up nicely for the son of Written Tycoon. He handled Class 4 with no issues though those who he beat on the day weren’t much chop. Last start he stepped up to Class 3 at this track and distance and as I spoke about earlier, it was a hot form race going forward, as he finished second by less than half a length whilst still beating home two next start winners. Matthew Poon remains aboard and gets the 1kg taken off and there doesn’t look to be a lot of speed in this race, so he might just lead them up here. If he can get a couple of cheap sectionals in front or if he can switch off just behind any other potential leader, I think he will be hard to beat late in the piece.

Suggested bet: 2 units @ $2.00

Exceptional Nice (Happy Valley Race 2 No.4)

Zac Purton has plenty of nice rides tonight and this is definitely one of them. Despite only winning one race out of 19, he has placed nine times which takes him to over 50% of his runs finishing in the top 3. He has only had one go at the 2200m and that was three starts ago, where he ran a nice second behind rival Above, who he meets 1.5kg better off. He went okay last start but just couldn’t go with Savvy Kingman in front and finish 2.1 lengths back in third. Zac Purton jumping on this ride gives me confidence that he can run another big race and much like a lot of the races tonight, there is a long tail. Providing Purton can get him into a nice position from the draw, he will be in the finish once again.

Suggested bet:  1 unit @ $3.20

Nearly Fine (Happy Valley Race 7 No.1)

Let’s quickly chat about this horse’s last four races. First go at this track and distance four back was really good when beating home Viva Popcorn who has since won two races. They stepped him up to Class 3 where he was competitive, but it was his Class 3 at this track and distance that raised my eyebrows. He did finish 2.4 lengths back in sixth to Cheerful Days (who by the way is a Class 1 winner) but it was the sectionals from near last that impressed me. He ran the second quickest last 800m, 600m, and 400m sectionals of the meeting, second to the winner of this race, but ran the quickest last 200m of the entire meeting. What makes it better, was the slow pace in front would have given him no chance of winning but he still ran a massive race. He came back to Class 4 last start at this track and distance against rivals Bulletproof and Go for Tea where he split them both, running 0.6 of a length in third. Again, the sectionals were immaculate, and the 2.5kg claim of Chan and the better draw brings him right into their rematch tonight as he gets a nice 3kg swing on Bulletproof and 2.5kg on Go for Tea. If Chan can get him a little closer in the run, he is a massive chance to over-run them late with even luck.

Suggested bet:  1 unit @ $4.20

Gallant Crown (Happy Valley Race 9 No.5)

The last bet comes in the last race with a horse that has the form to be super competitive here. He loves this track and distance, winning four from nine and running second twice with his last start his most impressive this preparation. He was overrun late by Cheerful Days who as I mentioned earlier is a Class 1 winner in his very next start. Although he is winless in this preparation, he has gone close on two occasions, and the common factor is the draw. He has drawn well in two of his four starts this preparation and on those two times, he has sat within the first four and gone very close. His wins last preparation had him sitting closer to the speed and that seems to be the key for him here. Karis Teetan takes back the ride and knows him well, so I am expecting a nice ride from barrier 5. This could be a nice way for us to finish off the night.

Suggested bet:  1 unit @ $3.00