Happy Valley Picks

Race 1: Fukushima Handicap

#6 Forever City looks well placed here with two runs on the dirt under his belt this term. He closed off nicely last start and looks favoured stepping onto the turf this week, especially following a nice trial at the city track previously. #9 General Trump is suited in this grade. Expect a strong showing from him with Karis Teetan engaged. #7 Viva Mama draws poorly but does get assigned Zac Purton. #8 Telecom Missile returns first-up. Joao Moreira rides from gate one. He’s next best. 

Race 2: Kyoto Handicap (1st Section)

#9 Good Beauty is a winner in the grade above and his latest run showed a sharp return to form. He slots in light from gate four and is an excellent chance to perform here. #8 Melbourne Hall is paired with Zac Purton. He has race-fitness on his side. #4 Happily Friends should get his chance close to the speed. He was a solid winner three starts ago who appears to have held his condition well. #5 My My My was caught back with too much work to do last start. Getting out to six furlongs looks a plus. 

Race 3: Kyoto Handicap (2nd Section)

#1 Compassion Spirit gets down to Class 4 for the first time since his latest win. He’s a force to be reckoned with in this grade and the engagement of Zac Purton suggests they’re going for it here. #12 Winwin Thirtythree closed nicely last time out for second. Expect improvement again and he’s favoured by the light weight. #4 Fortune Carrier is a talent. He can run well once more for Danny Shum and Joao Moreira. #5 Noir Rider is expected to find the front. He can run them along.

Race 4: Hanshin Handicap

#3 Methane was crowded for room last start and had genuine excuses for his 10th-placed effort. He was in superb form prior to that run and he’s capable of bouncing back to that level here. #10 Red Impact rattled into second last start. The wide draw harms his chances but he’s racing very well. #8 All Joyful seeks a hat-trick of wins. He’s become a force to be reckoned with and the only query is the added distance, which he looks capable of handling. #2 Fast Pace gets a handy claim. He warrants respect.   

Race 5: Kyoto Handicap (3rd Section)

#4 Party Warrior is unlucky not to already be a winner. He’s done incredibly well across five starts in town, finishing runner-up three times and from gate three he deserves another chance here to grab a well-deserved triumph. #10 Chiron closed nicely in a recent trial on the dirt. He looks to have made the necessary improvement between seasons. #5 A Smile Like Yours is after back-to-back wins. He’s in sublime form at the moment. #11 Good Shot gets Joao Moreira. He only needs to offset the awkward gate.

Race 6: Kokura Handicap

#1 Harmony Fire is a class act. He narrowly missed last start and off that performance – at his first try around Happy Valley – he shapes as the one to beat. #3 Decisive Twelve is no stranger to bouncing back from a poor run to come out and win. Expect he finds the front and plays catch me if you can. #7 Escape Route steps out on debut. He’s worth keeping safe for the Size/Moreira combination. #9 Propice appears to be coming to hand nicely. He’s next best with Alexis Badel up.

Race 7: The Japan Racing Association Trophy Handicap

#7 Sunshine Warrior is a course and distance winner in this grade. He’s done well so far this term and a return to the city circuit looks a bonus. He can finish strongly with a race run to suit. #4 Savaquin has shown steady improvement this campaign. He does his best racing over this course and distance. #2 Telecom Fighters owns the Class 3 course record (1650m) at Happy Valley. Zac Purton hops up now and from gate five he gets his chance. Expect he tries to make all out in the lead. #8 Bear Again is in-form and racing well.

Race 8: Nakayama Handicap

#5 California Cible is so close to a first win in Hong Kong. He’s done nothing but impress across three starts and his alignment with Joao Moreira warrants respect. #1 Classic Posh is racing well as a two-time winner from his last five starts. Expect a bold showing again. #2 Hong Kong Bet is consistent and deserves respect in his spot. #8 Super Dobbin is better than this record suggests. He can turn his form around here for Luke Ferraris and Tony Millard.

Race 9: Tokyo Handicap

#2 Fa Fa is in sublime form at present bidding for his fourth successive win. He remains in Class 3 which suits and from the good gate he maps to get a smooth run in transit. #6 Surrealism can bounce back to form after surging three-wide last time out. Expect improvement. #5 King’s Capital is racing well. He can take another step forward here. #9 Right Honourable is competitive in his spot. Don’t discount with the light weight allotted, although gate seven is against him.