02/03/22 Happy Valley Tips & best bets for today
- Author: Sze Ngo WooMar 02, 2022 12:24 PM
- Photo: Getty
Hong Kong Racing Best Bets
Tonight will be the first Happy Valley meeting in March, and nine competitive races are set to be run on the "A" Course.
Joao Moreira returned from suspension last Sunday without a winner. He will have 9 mounts today and has a great chance to end the drought.
Apart from Joao, Zac Purton is fully booked as well. Look for him to continue his vein of good form.
For the trainers, Benno Yung will send 7 horses with good recent form.
Punters would be silly to ignore his top chances.
Happy Valley Race 2 #6 Dragon Pride $3.70
This 5YO gelding has been a model of consistency after joining the Benno Yung stable.
His versatility is a big plus, having good results at both Sha Tin and Happy Valley.
After having two wins and a further two placings this season, Dragon Pride’s rating is only 35.
For a horse of his quality this rating should be much higher. However, he is able to slide into Class 5 grade.
In a further boost to his chances, he avoided the handicapper only having to carry 59kg instead of the top weight of 60.5kg.
Last time out, he raced over the same course and distance.
Zac Purton gave him a peach and he won in style.
Dragon Pride is doing well in recent trackwork and gives every indication he is ready to win back-to-back.
Happy Valley Race 9 #2 Toronado Phantom $3.50
Toronado Phantom is a progressive gelding, sired by Toronado out of a Dark Angel mare.
So far this season he has scored 2 wins from 2 attempts over the Happy Valley “A” course.
After turning a 4YO this year, he has scored 2 wins with strong acceleration, especially at his last victory.
Despite racing wide in the home turn, he could still win by 1.25L under Zac Purton.
This grey just had a good barrier trial last Tuesday and is at peak fitness for this event.
He can prove too good for this opposition and continue his climb up the grades.
Happy Valley Race 1 #4 Presence $4.00
In Zac we trust, as the star Aussie climbs on board for the first time.
Presence is a 3 time winner in his native Australia when formerly known as Indy Car.
On his penultimate start in Hong Kong he was an excellent 5th to the super progressive Cheerful Days.
Last time out he got closer to the frame with a 4th to Zone D.
This course and distance suits perfectly and off a career low mark, I can see him making the breakthrough in the opener.
Happy Valley Race 8 #6 Namjong Sings $13.00
A competitive heat over the 1200m but Namjong Sings looks the one to be on.
The Danny Shum 6YO is on a competitive mark and breaks from a good barrier under Jerry Chau.
Last time out he ran an excellent 5th behind The Runner over today's course and distance, under Karis Teetan.
From gate 5 he can land the perfect spot and gets his chance to score at Happy Valley for the very first time.
The unexposed Forte and topweight Decisive Twelve can chase him home.