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HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS by Declan Schuster
(Wednesday, November 30, 2022)
Race 1: #4 Shanghai Power, #7 G One Excellent, #11 Raging Blaze, #2 Nextmodel
Race 2: #6 Sight Hero, #7 Mr Fun, #2 High Rise Soldier, #1 Wine And Wine
Race 3: #2 Palace Pal, #8 Bright Kid, #4 Vincy, #5 Circuit Elite
Race 4: #8 Success Allstars, #7 Medic Elite, #9 Fortune Triple, #2 Owners’ Star
Race 5: #7 Multimore, #1 Flaming Passion, #9 Rattan Kingdom, #2 Harmony N Home
Race 6: #3 Heroic Master, #1 Atomic Force, #5 Magic Phoenix, #10 California Deeply
Race 7: #10 Rock Ya Heart, #11 Ping Hai Galaxy, #8 Navas Two, #3 Rewarding Together
Race 8: #1 Tianchi Monster, #11 Lucky Diamond, #7 Delightful Laos, #2 Nearly Fine
Race 1: Bellahouston Handicap
#4 Shanghai Power is racing well and should be ready to peak now third-up this season. A clean run settled midfield or thereabouts should ensure he gets every chance. #7 G One Excellent draws well and performed nicely on the dirt last start. He’s ready to win and has shown in the past that he is more than capable of being seriously competitive. #11 Raging Blaze is getting closer and closer. He does plenty wrong but Zac Purton’s engagement is a big plus. #2 Nextmodel will park on the speed. He’s next best.
Race 2: Ibrox Handicap (2nd Section)
#6 Sight Hero is unlucky to not have more wins next to his name. He’s performed well this season and is clearly fit with three runs under his belt. He can take closer order from the better draw this time. #7 Mr Fun steps out on debut. Strong booking of Zac Purton first-up warrants respect. He’s trialled well and looks ready. #2 High Rise Soldier knows what it’s all about. He owns a slick personal best time over this course and distance. #1 Wine And Wine should hit the front. Expect he leads under Angus Chung. Keep safe.
Race 3: Parkhead Handicap
#2 Palace Pal is closing in on a first win in town. He’s shown his qualities and the addition of blinkers should prove pivotal as he wore them in New Zealand pre-import. #8 Bright Kid is in the right vein of form. He narrowly missed last start and another strong showing is expected here. #4 Vincy is in form and tracking towards another win. He’ll get the right run from gate three. #5 Circuit Elite should lead under Angus Chung, just as he did last start when winning. He’ll take a bit of reeling in.
Race 4: Queen’s Park Handicap
#8 Success Allstars should be value. He did well first-up to finish third and his best holds him in very, very good stead here. A clean run late should give him every chance to score another win, especially in this grade. #7 Medic Elite does everything right except win. Still, he’s favoured once more, especially with Zac Purton engaged. #9 Fortune Triple closed nicely last start at Sha Tin. He can take another step forward here and is worth an each way ticket. #2 Owners’ Star has the class edge. Keep safe.
Race 5: Ibrox Handicap (1st Section)
#7 Multimore returns second-up. He’s much better ridden for the lead and if they elect to do that here then he could well take a bit of catching. Either way, he’s worth taking a chance on to do so, especially with Dylan Mo hopping back up. #1 Flaming Passion was wide and without cover last start. He can atone for that effort here and is worth an each way ticket, depending on his price. #9 Rattan Kingdom is fit and ready to win. The retention of Zac Purton is a big plus. #2 Harmony N Home is next best.
Race 6: The St Andrew’s Challenge Quaich Handicap
#3 Heroic Master was impressive last start and he appears well placed to nail back-to-back wins. He remains in Class 3 which suits, as does Zac Purton’s booking. #1 Atomic Force can lead this group and will take catching from there. The inside draw suits and he’s worth taking an each way ticket on. #5 Magic Phoenix is largely overlooked but he does have a bit of class about him. Keep safe. #10 California Deeply should improve second-up. He looks to have his fair share of ability.
Race 7: Glasgow Handicap
#10 Rock Ya Heart is racing well. He’s proven his worth in the past against a number of these runners, especially at Happy Valley, which holds him in good stead. If luck falls his way here then he can win. #11 Ping Hai Galaxy knows what it’s about and this is a nice ride to pick up for Harry Bentley. #8 Navas Two has class but he is chasing somewhat of an overdue fourth win. Expect he handles Happy Valley, however, he might need luck from the rear. #3 Rewarding Together can play catch me if you can. He’ll be thereabouts.
Race 8: Isle Of Skye Handicap
#1 Tianchi Monster narrowly missed last start. He’s stepping down to Class 3 and should get every chance in this grade to nail an overdue win. He has the class to take this one out. #11 Lucky Diamond will find the front and give himself every chance. Take an each way ticket on him leading throughout, especially from gate two with the lightweight. #7 Delightful Laos is always slow out of the gates but does have the ability to finish fast. He caught the eye first-up and should improve here. #2 Nearly Fine is next best.
Declan Schuster grew up loving the sport and doing the form after Pierro won the 2012 Golden Slipper. His love for racing in Asia and the puzzle of finding winners took him to Hong Kong, where he is employed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. His favorite racecourse is Happy Valley.
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