Best Bets | Happy Valley, 20 April 2022

Blastoise | (Happy Valley Race 6 No.10) / Vincy | (Happy Valley Race 6 No.7)

I think this could be the perfect race for Blastoise, who hasn’t won a race since 2020. I definitely think Happy Valley is more his track nowadays and he looks to get every opportunity in a race that has below average pace. He is drawn well and should lead them up with ease, with a big indicator being the booking of Joao Moreira. If he manages to rack them and stack them, this bloke is going to be hard to run down. Vincy is the opposite and will need the pace on. His run two back behind Above was sectionally brilliant and a repeat could see him win this in a canter. I do give Rise Brethren a chance, but I truly think he is more of a Sha Tin horse.

Suggested bet: 0.8 unit @ $5.00 / 0.6 unit @ $7.50

Speed Force | (Happy Valley Race 1 No.8)

Landed with Speed Force by default here as his recent form hasn’t been that bad. Two back over this track and distance, he was a close-up third behind Telecom Cheetah and Lucky Missile who have both done well in Class 4 since. Last start he wasn’t far away from a poor gate on the all-weather, finishing less than a length back in second. He has drawn well, Purton on and handles the 1800m. Looks the one I want to be with.

Suggested bet: 1 unit @ $4.00

Our Creed | (Happy Valley Race 2 No.9)

This bloke is going to need a bit to go right for him to win, but he has the chance to get his first Hong Kong win. Had a little bit go wrong last start which put him out of contention early in the straight whilst his start prior was much better, finishing within two lengths of Packing Award. The gate is the tricky part here, but Zac Purton might make the decision to head forward on him if he begins well enough.

Suggested bet: No Bet @ $7.00

Triple Triple | (Happy Valley Race 3 No.8)

Triple Triple is going for back-to-back wins as he enters Class 4. He was beautifully ridden by Blake Shinn last time out and the tongue tie looked to do the job for him, winning by just under a length. He has drawn well again to get a dream run throughout and with the addition of Karis Teetan, he looks as though he is going to be a major contender.

Suggested bet: No Bet @ $4.80

Handsome Guys | (Happy Valley Race 4 No.8) / Peak to Peak | (Happy Valley Race 4 No.11)

Handsome Guys hasn’t lit the world on fire with his three starts in Hong Kong, but I saw somewhat of a different horse in his latest trial. He was well held throughout the 1000m trial, winning by a small margin but it was also his work through the line that gives me the indication this might be his preparation to snag his first win. He has drawn well in a race with little pace and if Jerry Chau can keep his wits about him, he could be hard to catch. Peak to Peak was extremely unlucky last start and never got a crack at them. He has drawn well once again and should be a winning chance with clear air.

Suggested bet: 0.4 unit @ $12.00 / 0.8 unit @ $5.50

Diamond Soars | (Happy Valley Race 5 No.6)

I thought I would take the risk with this son of Deep Field. He has only had the one start in Hong Kong, and it was up the straight at Sha Tin where he really weakened late in the piece. He has since gone back to the trials and I really loved his work throughout, saluting nicely in the trial by just under two lengths. There is a little bit of pace here, but he is drawn well enough to either lead or box seat. I am putting the trust in Jerry Chau in back-to-back races which could be costly, but I think he could surprise a few if the race is run to suit.

Suggested bet: 0.2 unit @ $31.00

Scotch Tycoon | (Happy Valley Race 7 No.2) / Smart Idea | (Happy Valley Race 7 No.4)

Scotch Tycoon is looking for three on the bounce and he really surprised me last start over the 1200m. He was up in class and tackled the 1200m for the first-time last start, and he was too good for them despite there being some issues late in the race. Karis Teetan sticks, and the extra weight won’t bother him, so I am expecting a nice run despite the wide draw. Smart Idea is one who has taken a start or two to get going up in Class 3, but his win last start has cemented his place in this grade. He is drawn well again and can really be a big factor towards the end of this race.

Suggested bet: 1.3 units @ $3.20 / 0.8 unit @ $5.00

Big Two | (Happy Valley Race 8 No.4) / Lucky Missile | (Happy Valley Race 8 No.8)

This is a hot little race with multiple chances. Big Two has had no luck over his last two runs and finished second on both occasions by less than a length. His trial since was very good and I love the booking of Zac Purton, who should be able to add a length to this horse. He will be giving them a start again but there should be enough pace to see him a nice chance in the concluding stages. Lucky Missile is looking for three-in-a-row after his nice one-length win in this grade last time out. Moreira has jumped off for a rival that sees the booking of Luke Currie, which I think isn’t the worst. He is drawn ideally, and I expect him to get every chance in the run if good enough.

Suggested bet: 1.4 units @ $3.00 / 0.5 unit @ $8.00

Total Units Used: 9.8 units