The card appears to be competitive as racing continues mid-week at Happy Valley. Our correspondent looks at Le Terroir, Bullish Brother, and Universal Go Go as betting propositions.

Photos by LeeMingDonald

First Race - # 9) Bullish Brother may get an uncontested lead in this race. This three-year old gelding from Tony Cruz`s yard has finished in the top three in his last four runs over this same course and distance and has not reached his top potential yet. Hearts Keeper, the rising 9-year old who is a couple of months away from enforced retirement, is a known roarer but has run a decent fourth in his last start behind Grand Harbour. He should figure in the finish along with Wonderful Journey. Star Luck has been supported in the betting in all his three runs so far, but had an unacceptable performance in his last start where he finished nearly six lengths behind. We are hoping to get decent odds on Bullish Brother as we expect market support for Star Luck again and also for the John Size trained Excel Delight who had finished in the ruck as the second favorite in his last run more than six months ago. John Size has given Excel Delight a two-month spell and five barrier trials since that dismal debut performance.









Fourth Race - # 4) Le Terroir won his last start over the same course and distance quite easily. This race has its form franked by Jumbo Prize and Takingufurther. These two ran second and third behind Le Terroir in that race and then went on to win in their next start. Le Terroir appeals as the best bet of the day and should be able to beat Shamport and Cheek Bee. Shamport`s trainer. Caspar Fownes, has added a Visor to his equipment and dropped this 12-start Hong Kong maiden from the extended mile to 1200 meters.








Seventh Race - # 12) Universal Go Go ran a close second to True Grit in his last start and is now placed better at the weights because of the three pounds claimed by his rider Matthew Poon. Jockey Poon has had a dry run since he rode Great Son to victory on 10th April this year. Since then Poon has had 75 rides without success and has placed second just once. Universal Go Go will have to repeat his last start performance if he has to turn the tables on True Grit whose last start win was impressive given that he had been checked at the start and had run into traffic during the race. True Grit had made up about six lengths in the last 400 meters to win. We expect this pair to finish in the first two and recommend combining Universal Go Go and True Grit in a Quinella.







Here are the selections for the card




These selections are based on the Race Card available at the time of writing and do not factor in any standby horses that are promoted. While considering the tips above, please pay attention to the names of the horses – the number of a horse that is withdrawn will be assigned to the promoted standby horse.