Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Nov. 20

The Wednesday card at Happy Valley kicks off at 5:40 a.m. ET, and Luke Middlebrook offers his selections along with analysis of each race.

Selections for Happy Valley

Race 1: #5 Falcon Court, #10 Medic Elite, #9 Cool Blue, #7 Invincible Missile
Race 2: #4 Apolar Fighter, #10 Ninja Derby, #1 Harmony Galaxy, #2 Sturdy Ruby
Race 3: #2 Ruby Sailing, #5 Verbier, #1 Cosmo Navigator, #3 Winning Heart
Race 4: #12 Gluck Racer, #4 Can’t Go Wong, #5 Foremost Teddy, #11 Courier Magic
Race 5: #2 Storming Dragon, #1 Triumphant More, #11 Speed Sword, #9 Lucky Man
Race 6: #5 Telecom Dragon, #1 Motoman, #4 Yee Cheong Spirit, #9 Fun N Glory
Race 7: #12 Super Unicorn, #9 Soleil Fighter, #7 Silo, #2 Simply Maverick
Race 8: #7 Raging Blizzard, #6 Gorgeous Win, #4 Lucky Encounter, #1 Son Pak Fu
Race 9: #3 Eason, #8 Romantic Son, #2 Young Emperor, #4 Gustosisimo

Happy Valley Analysis

RACE 1: LAU FAU SHAN HANDICAP

#5 Falcon Court has been unlucky in recent runs since dropping into Class 5, though his performances have shown merit. With Zac Purton taking the reins this week, he gains a key jockey switch that boosts his chances. #10 Medic Elite benefits from barrier 2 and is always competitive over this course and distance. #9 Cool Blue has to overcome an outside gate, but his recent efforts since joining Cody Mo’s yard have been promising. #7 Invincible Missile returns to his preferred track after two outings at Sha Tin and is capable of showing improvement.

RACE 2: YUEN LONG HANDICAP

#4 Apolar Fighter should enjoy a much kinder run stepping away from barrier 2 this week after racing wide without cover last time, where he was unable to pose a threat. #10 Ninja Derby gets a notable jockey upgrade with Purton aboard. His last-start fourth carried merit, considering he raced wide and without cover until the 800-meter mark, was allowed to stride forward, and raced outside the lead before fading late due to the early work. #1 Harmony Galaxy produced his best performance to date when runner-up to Capital Legend last start and looks set to continue improving. #2 Sturdy Ruby faces a tougher task after stepping out from barrier 1 to 10 following his breakthrough win in fine style last time.

RACE 3: KAI TAK HANDICAP

#2 Ruby Sailing remains winless after 15 starts, but he benefits this week from a class drop into Class 5. Purton takes the reins, and from a good gate, he should improve second-up after a decent effort when well-backed first-up at the bottom of Class 4. #5 Verbier has been knocking on the door for a win, and his trial between runs indicates he has maintained his condition. With Hugh Bowman aboard, his chances are strong. #1 Cosmo Navigator signaled readiness to win after a narrow third-place finish last time. #3 Winning Heart will map well from barrier 2, such as his first effort in Class 5, where he gamely finished third last start.

RACE 4: KWU TUNG HANDICAP

#12 Gluck Racer is more than capable on his day, and he shapes as a good each-way chance here, being third-up and well-drawn in barrier 1. If he can capitalize on his inside gate, he should be within striking range in what is a wide-open contest. #4 Can’t Go Wong appeals with his consistency, although he doesn’t win often. #5 Foremost Teddy endured a tough run from a wide gate last time, covering extra ground early. With a slightly better draw, he can improve on that effort. #11 Courier Magic has been finishing strongly in recent starts despite wide draws, and an inside gate this time should help his chances further.

RACE 5: THE HK INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS 40TH ANNIVERSARY CUP HANDICAP

#2 Storming Dragon was narrowly denied victory last start and is poised to break through for a well-overdue win, especially with James McDonald aboard and a favorable midfield draw. #1 Triumphant More impressed on debut with a smart win and should continue to progress. Barrier 8 poses a challenge, but Purton retains the ride, which boosts confidence. #11 Speed Sword showed improvement on his first run for Mark Newnham last time out, although barrier 12 makes things tricky; expect him to be charging home late. #9 Lucky Man is gradually improving and looked sharp in a trial between runs. Despite a wide draw, he could be dangerous late if the race sets up with a strong pace.

RACE 6: SAN TIN HANDICAP

#5 Telecom Dragon delivered an excellent first-up effort to finish a close third. He should be in the mix again with barrier 3 and Bowman in the saddle. #1 Motoman faded to 10th last start after leading at a fast tempo, though he was only beaten just over four lengths. With barrier 1 and Purton aboard, he is well placed to finish in the frame. #4 Yee Cheong Spirit ran a strong second last start from barrier 1, but had every chance to win. While barrier 9 makes this tougher, the booking of McDonald adds confidence. #9 Fun N Glory has been racing well since moving to David Hall’s yard and will relish a fast pace, where he will be making his presence felt late.

RACE 7: HUNG SHUI KIU HANDICAP

#12 Super Unicorn deserves another chance after being beaten as the odds-on favorite in his first Class 3 run last time. He shapes as a better betting proposition this week. #9 Soleil Fighter has been edging closer to a win, and his recent second to Daring Pursuit signals he’s ready to go very close here in a wide-open contest. #7 Silo stormed home into second behind Voyage Samurai over a mile at Sha Tin last start, solid form for a race like this, and is primed for a breakthrough. #2 Simply Maverick was on pace in a fast-run race second-up and understandably weakened late. The wide draw is far from ideal, but McDonald’s guiding him offers some hope.

RACE 8: CHEK LAP KOK HANDICAP

#7 Raging Blizzard resumed with a very promising third-place finish behind Copartner Prance. He peaked on his run around the 50-meter mark, indicating there’s plenty of improvement to come as he progresses this preparation. #6 Gorgeous Win was backed into favoritism in that race but endured a luckless run, racing very wide without cover throughout. Despite this, he was only beaten just under four lengths, a commendable effort. #4 Lucky Encounter possesses early speed to secure a handy position from barrier 2, and his last-start second to Copartner Prance suggests he’s poised to return to winning ways. #1 Son Pak Fu showed encouraging improvement in a recent trial and will relish a fast-run race, which appears likely here. Look for him to be charging home late.

RACE 9: FANLING HANDICAP

#3 Eason turned in an eye-catching first-up performance on his debut for trainer Ricky Yiu, running third after racing very wide without cover. With barrier 2 this time, he maps as the winner. #8 Romantic Son showed plenty of promise on debut, finishing just half a length behind in second. He looks primed to go one better with natural improvement. #2 Young Emperor was ultra-impressive on debut, defeating Romantic Son in style. He shapes as a serious prospect and benefits from a kinder draw in gate 3. #4 Gustosisimo jumped only fairly last start and couldn’t muster early speed but closed well for fourth after being held up on the turn. While he has barrier 10 to overcome, his strong form bodes well.