Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Dec. 11

Wednesday’s racing action at Happy Valley kicks off at 5:40 a.m. ET. Luke Middlebrook guides you through the card with his selections and analysis.

Happy Valley Selections

Race 1: #6 Fury And Gold, #2 Palace Pal, #7 Golden Fairy, #4 Super Hong Kong
Race 2: #2 Modest Gentleman, #10 Plentiful, #7 Country Dancer, #1 Dan Attack
Race 3: #6 Telecom Dragon, #4 Beauty Light, #10 Spicy So Smart, #2 Thriving Brothers
Race 4: #10 Sight Happy, #3 Fatal Blow, #2 Bits Superstar, #8 Affirm
Race 5: #2 Escape Route, #12 Kingly Demeanor, #9 Me Time, #8 Flying Silver
Race 6: #2 Sturdy Ruby, #6 Take Action, #10 Firefoot, #8 Ninja Derby
Race 7: #10 Heroic Master, #2 Sports Legend, #3 Atomic Force, #8 Midori Glory
Race 8: #10 Shinkansen, #1 Yee Cheong Spirit, #2 Circuit Duffy, #3 California Deeply
Race 9: #1 Simply Maverick, #7 I Can, #6 Chain Of Gold, #8 Glorious Journey

Analysis of Happy Valley

Race 1: SAND MARTIN HANDICAP

#6 Fury And Gold is poised for a breakthrough win, having flashed home late into second on his first attempt at this distance behind the in-form Kingly Demeanor. As a relatively unexposed horse, he could still have untapped potential and looks ready to strike. #2 Palace Pal made an encouraging return to Class 5 last time, finishing a strong third behind Fury And Gold and Kingly Demeanor. He remains a solid chance here, especially with Zac Purton aboard and a favorable draw in gate 2. #7 Golden Fairy may enjoy a soft lead and will prove hard to catch. #4 Super Hong Kong, well proven over this trip, remains a threat and can bounce back anytime at this level.

Race 2: LARK HANDICAP

#2 Modest Gentleman was a nightmare watch for backers when returning to Class 5 last time. After lunging forward at the start and making contact with the gates, he lost ground, was hampered, and settled at the rear before encountering significant interference in the home straight. Despite all that, he was only beaten a little over two lengths into sixth. #10 Plentiful, from barrier 1, will have every opportunity to secure back-to-back wins. #7 Country Dancer hasn’t had much luck in recent runs since dropping to this class, but he should deliver his best if he avoids trouble from gate 11. #1 Dan Attack drops back to Class 5 with James McDonald booked—a combination that bodes well for his chances.

Race 3: ALBATROSS HANDICAP

#6 Telecom Dragon profiles strongly third-up after two promising placings in stronger races. He shapes as one of the better chances on the night, benefiting from a favorable barrier and the booking of McDonald. #4 Beauty Light, overlooked in the betting on debut, finished over four lengths away in 11th but encountered traffic just as he was starting to wind up late. With Purton aboard and barrier 2, he can take a positive step forward second-up. #10 Spicy So Smart, who backed up his Class 5 all-the-way win with a third in this class, is a consistent performer and worth consideration. #2 Thriving Brothers was favorite over 1200 meters at Sha Tin two starts back after a class drop but faded when stepped up to 1400 meters last time. Freshened and with blinkers applied for the first time, he should produce an improved effort back in trip.

Race 4: ALBATROSS HANDICAP

#10 Sight Happy backs up from the International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) night last week, where he was an unlucky seventh, unable to secure clear running over the final 100 meters. With a fair amount of pace engaged here, he should get the race run to suit and can finish strongly over the top. #3 Fatal Blow impressed on his second career start with a smart win for the Mark Newnham stable. While he has more to offer, the wide draw in gate 10 is awkward. #2 Bits Superstar drops to Class 4 after failing to perform in four starts since arriving from Australia. However, he has shown improvement in two trials leading into this race. #8 Affirm will likely take up his usual role at or near the lead and could sneak into the placings if the pressure up front isn't excessive.

Race 5: THE HONG KONG GOLF CLUB CENTENARY CUP (HANDICAP)

#2 Escape Route ticks plenty of boxes as he lines up fourth-up over a proven distance. Since returning to Class 4, he has shown he is capable of bouncing back for a win anytime, particularly from a low draw with McDonald engaged by John Size. #12 Kingly Demeanor is thriving this preparation and chases a winning hat trick as he rises in class. His on-pace style should ensure he makes his own luck and will take catching. #9 Me Time, a lightly raced four-year-old, may now progress further after easily breaking his maiden tag in Class 5. #8 Flying Silver, a distance specialist, looks primed third-up following two solid trials between runs and is ready to make an impact.

Race 6: MESIA HANDICAP

#2 Sturdy Ruby ended his longstanding maiden status two starts ago when drawn barrier 1 but faced a tougher task last start from gate 10, where he was ridden quietly at the back yet charged home late to finish third. Back into barrier 1 here, he has strong claims to return to winning ways. #6 Take Action enjoyed all the favors when winning last time from barrier 1, and Size-trained runners often hold their form well, suggesting he can go close again. #10 Firefoot continues to improve, having finished second last time and since trialed well. #8 Ninja Derby is yet to secure a win in this grade but is hard to fault on current form, including a narrow last-start defeat to Take Action. Purton should give him every chance from gate 4.

Race 7: NIGHTJAR HANDICAP

#10 Heroic Master returns to his preferred track and distance, and his last-start runner-up effort to Fast Network over the minimum at Sha Tin indicates he is primed for an overdue win. #2 Sports Legend is an intriguing first-up contender. While he's been off the scene since May due to a left fore tendon injury and has no trial form to assess, his ability and the booking of McDonald make him hard to ignore. #3 Atomic Force is consistently close in finishes and caught the eye last time when running on strongly for fourth after a slow start from a wide draw. #8 Midori Glory is well suited back at Happy Valley and lines up for his second run for Pierre Ng.

Race 8: ALBATROSS HANDICAP

#10 Shinkansen has been edging closer to a win this season and gets conditions in his favor here, benefitting from barrier 4 and some gear adjustments. With several key rivals drawn wide, this could be the opportunity he needs to break through. #1 Yee Cheong Spirit is worth following after his straightforward last-start win in similar company. Despite a slightly tougher draw, McDonald is well equipped to navigate it. #2 Circuit Duffy is a promising type who impressed with a dominant win on his second career start from barrier 1. While he has trialed well since, barrier 9 could make this outing more challenging. #3 California Deeply looks well placed from barrier 4 and gets a favorable race set-up. He ran on strongly for fourth last time after jumping from barrier 11 and remains a live chance in this field.

Race 9: SEA EAGLE HANDICAP

#1 Simply Maverick settled further back than usual from a wide draw last time but produced a strong late run to finish fifth, beaten just a length and a half. He moves into barrier 1 with McDonald taking the reins, making him a prime candidate to return to winning ways. #7 I Can ran in the same race, finishing a close fourth after taking time to switch off heels in the straight. #6 Chain Of Gold faced a tough task from the widest gate last time and was only fair late, laying in in the straight. His prior solid form suggests he is worth another chance. #8 Glorious Journey has shown good trial form ahead of this return and was last seen finishing runner-up to Jumbo Legend, which is handy form.