Happy Valley is not only one of the most spectacular racing venues in the world, it also generates a unique atmosphere and our day meeting at the city circuit on Sunday (27 October) lived up to expectations with a wonderful vibe and superb racing.
Six races of the 10 races at Happy Valley were decided by a neck or less on Sunday, providing fantastic entertainment for the healthy crowd which built steadily throughout the afternoon. Many of the attendees at Happy Valley at the weekend were from the Mainland and the feedback received from our guests was extremely positive.
There was a string of competitive highlights, notably David Eustace scoring his first Hong Kong double, while Zac Purton, Vincent Ho and Luke Ferraris also had good days with doubles. The efforts of newcomers HORSEPOWER, who is raced by Club Chairman Mr Michael Lee and his wife Vanessa, and YOUNG EMPEROR, who is raced by the HKJC Racing Club Limited, were very good especially considering they were making their Hong Kong debuts.
Both HORSEPOWER and YOUNG EMPEROR earned PP Bonuses of HK$1.5 million, as well as HK$1,041,600 in prizemoney each, while COPARTNER PRANCE posted his sixth course and distance win in a row with a thrilling victory in the Class 2 Guangzhou Handicap (1200m) for Francis Lui and Zac.
At Happy Valley tonight, the world-famous Beer Garden will be transformed into a celebration of Bavarian cuisine, music, dancing and beer for the Oktoberfest finale.
Over the past month, our customers have experienced the very best of Oktoberfest festivities in the Beer Garden and the theme continues this evening with an appearance by musicians Indigo Town, while customers can enjoy hearty Bavarian food and cold German beer.
The enthusiasm and excitement generated in the Beer Garden, along with the chance to watch world-class racing at close quarters, makes Happy Valley a destination of choice on a Wednesday night and tonight promises to be no exception.
The Class 3 Fife Handicap is the feature race tonight and is carded as Race 7 and will be run over 1650m at 10.15pm for prizemoney of HK$2,050,000.
The pace will be good with FRANTANCK (Lyle Hewitson) adopting his usual front running tactics from gate four. SOLEIL FIGHTER (Matthew Poon) will settle behind the leader from his rails draw, with SAMARKAND (Karis Teetan) in the leading division and JOLLY RULER (Antoine Hamelin) likely to go forward from the outside gate.
SUPER UNICORN (Zac Purton) was very impressive having his second start this season when he sprinted away from his rivals in the straight to win by a big margin over this course and distance on 9 October, beating CHARITY GAIN who was an impressive winner here on Sunday. SUPER UNICORN, who is a Hong Kong International Sales Graduate, rises in class but has a perfect draw in barrier two and is my win and place selection.
HELENE WARRIOR (Hugh Bowman) went forward and led throughout over this class and distance on 11 September, beating SAMARKAND and I CAN. Hugh will try to settle HELENE WARRIOR just off the pace with cover from gate nine. HELENE WARRIOR is a talented horse capable of heading towards the Four-Year-Old Classic Series next year and is a place chance.
I CAN (Andrea Atzeni) continues to race consistently and was rewarded with an overdue win over this course and distance on 9 October when he stalked the speed and fought on strongly in the concluding stages to beat STAR CONTACT and ROCKET SPADE in a driving finish. I CAN will get the run of the race again from gate three and is a place chance.
DARING PURSUIT (Alexis Badel) had a late start to last season due to injury and ended his five-run campaign with a win at Happy Valley on 5 June when he went forward from a wide gate and fought on strongly to beat CAN’T GO WONG. DARING PURSUIT has had an extended break at Conghua and has had two trials in preparation for his return to racing and is a place chance.
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