Happy Valley Tips & Preview – Wednesday, June 24

Happy Valley Tips & Preview – Wednesday, June 24

Race 1: Class 4 Handicap (1200m), 8:45pm
No. 1 Harrier Jet

This is a tough race to open the program, so I’m going to play it safe with Zac Purton to make it back-to-back wins aboard Harrier Jet.

The eight-year-old was a comfortable last start winner over the track and distance a fortnight ago, and while he does have to carry an extra 3kg this time, he should have an opportunity to run on out wide if the pace suits.

Regency Poet gets the hot-hand of Karis Teetan fresh from a big day at Sha Tin last Sunday.

The four-year-old is still in search of his maiden but did come close two starts back running second behind Destine Jewellery.

Sell My Sole could be one for the each-way players. He strips fitter for his debut assignment when third over the 1200m at Sha Tin and has drawn an inside gate here with Joao Moreira sticking aboard.

Race 2: Class 4 Handicap (1200m), 9:15pm
No. 10 This Is Charisma

This Is Charisma has raced well without winning so far and looks to have found a suitable contest here with Joao Moreira booked to ride for the first time.

The four-year-old son of Smart Missile strips fitter for his last start third over the course and distance where he finished a length and a half behind Top Military. He’s shown consistent improvement in his last two starts and should be winning his maiden soon.

Hero Time is third-up off a month break with Zac Purton back in the saddle.

The pair won narrowly first-up over the 1200m at Happy Valley earlier in April and warrant serious consideration.

each way
Race 3: Class 4 Handicap (1650m), 9:45pm
No. 12 Lucky Missile EW

Finding it difficult to go past Lucky Missile after he smoked the line for second behind Lightning Steed third-up a fortnight ago.

The lightly-raced three-year-old is unlucky not to have a win on the board, but with only 53.5kg on his back from barrier 6, he should have a good chance in this contest if Matthew Poon can settle off the speed.

Focus was a winner three starts back over the track and distance and has come close on two occasions since running second.

Karis Teetan remains in the saddle and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the pair run away with it from a forward position.

Race 4: Class 4 Handicap (1650m), 10:15pm
No. 10 Incanto Prepared, No. 11 Daily Beauty EW

Banking on third time being the charm for Incanto Prepared.

The Kiwi galloper is having his third run over the distance and should take great improvement away from his last start third behind Lightning Steed a fortnight ago.

The four-year-old gets Antoine Hamelin for the first time on Wednesday and if he can overcome the wide draw, he looks a leading hope to finally break through for his maiden.

Daily Beauty steps up in trip, which does look ideal after rattling home for second last time out over the 1200m.

The Caspar Fownes four-year-old gets Joao Moreira for the first time, a booking that signals plenty of intent from the stable.

Race 5: Class 4 Handicap (1000m), 10:45pm
No. 9 Jazz Steed

You could easily make a case for half the field here, but I’m happy to stick with Jazz Steed to finally break through for his maiden.

The son of Exceed and Excel was unlucky not to score last time out when beaten by a nose to We The South over the track and distance. He should improve from that run though and drops a kg this time out under Chad Schofield.

NextModel is third-up with Zac Purton taking the reins for the first time. He placed over this distance first-up back in May, but does have some work to do from the wide draw.

Forza Angel gets the hot hand of Karis Teetan from the soft draw.

He’s much better than his last start sixth suggests and maps to get a lovely run in transit sitting mid-field.

Race 6: Class 3 Handicap (1200m), 11:15pm
No. 5 Ping Hai Galaxy

Happy to take a stab at Ping Hai Galaxy here each-way.

I think he’s much better than his last start suggests where he finished 11 of 12 over the track and distance carrying 59kg.

The four-year-old drops 2kg here with Derek Leung stepping in for the first tine, and considering he won over the 1200m by half a length back in February, this contest certainly isn’t beyond him.

The combination of Zac Purton and Highland Fortune has already paid off for punters with he pair winning their last start as favourites. The extra weight is a slight concern, but the fact he remains in Class 3 is a huge tick.

Race 7: Class 2 Handicap (1650m), 11:45pm
No. 7 Magnificent

Magnificent returns from a 35-day let-up and should prove tough to catch if he rolls forward as expected.

We saw the British raider winning by half a length over the track and distance last time out, and with 5.5kg off and Dylan Mo retaining the ride, he might prove hard to catch.

The old boy Helene Charisma is no doubt very close to winning his seventh career start.

He was impressive last time out running on for third behind Reliable Team and we already know he loves racing at this venue.

Sunshine Warrior gets Karis Teetan and is a serious chance at adding to his already impressive record.

The Pierro gelding won back-to-back starts over this track and distance in March-April, and while this is a rise in class, he won’t know himself with 7kg off.

Race 8: Class 3 Handicap (1650m), 12:15am
No. 3 Alpha Hedge

Alpha Hedge has turned into a real horse for this course with a win and four placings to his name over eight starts.

He’s been a consistent customer recently placing in two of his last three, and should improve on his runner-up performance a fortnight ago, especially from the inside draw.

Farshad also has an impressive record to suit with three wins and as many placings over the distance.

The German import has also drawn a soft gate and can figure in the placings racing up on the speed.

Best Alliance finally got on the board this season with a win five starts back over the course and distance.

He’s been thereabouts ever since and should be doing his best work late from the wide draw.

Race 9: Class 2 Handicap (1200m), 12:50am
No. 10 Winning Method

Difficult way to end the night, so hopefully Winning Method can dig us out of trouble if need be.

The three-year-old has found the placings in five of his eight starts over this distance, which includes a win three starts back by over a length to Shining Gem.

He’s finished runner-up in his two runs since and gets in light at the weights here with Joao Moreira taking over for Matthew Chadwick.