There is plenty of excitement around the Trainers’ championship and also around Zac Purton’s quest to ride the most number of winners in a season when racing returns to Happy Valley for the last time this season. Just two race meetings remain– one at Happy Valley and one at Sha Tin, before the curtains come down for the 2018-19 racing season. There will be 20 races over these two remaining days. Trainer John Moore tries to overcome the one win lead that John Size enjoys and champion jockey, Zac Purton attempts to ride 6 more winners to equal Joao Moreira’s record of 170 winners in a single season.

Happy Valley races on Wednesday July 10th, 2019

Chines Version of article

Photos by LeeMingDonald

Our correspondent recommends the following four races as betting propositions.


First Race - # 4) Aquila will in all probability start out as the favorite once again. There are a few negative marks against his name.

• Failed twice as an even money or less favorite in his two starts in Hong Kong


• Never run in a race at Happy Valley


• Never trialed at Happy Valley


• Less than 5.5% (16 winners out of 299 runners) have won from the Happy Valley barrier 12 on the A course over the past 4 seasons

Third Race - # 8 Lightning Treasure is a maiden who has run in the money in five of his twelve starts. Even though he has not finished closer than 3.5 lengths in his last few starts, he has run third behind Chicken Dance and second behind Magic Success – both of which are horses in good form. Lightning Treasure has been trump carded by his trainer Ricky Yiu. This is a positive factor -- Ricky Yiu has an impressive record with his trump cards winning 53% more than his usual strike rate with his trump carded horses. Compassion Star, who was hampered in his last run, will improve on that third and run an improved race. Junzi, Multimax, and Fantastic Fabio are the others that run with some merit.

Fifth Race - # 7 Shining On ran third in his last start, three lengths behind Enjoy Life. He seems to be fit as evidenced by his recent gallops and will try and get the better of Flame Lily, who will set the pace over this extended mile course. Diamond Legend who was forced to lead in his last start and Righteous Mate are the other two who will make the finish interesting.

Sixth Race - # 3 Forza Angel won impressively with Joao Moreira in his last start in spite of racing without cover for the entire trip when drawn barrier 9. Jack Wong, who has combined with trainer Me Tsui 80 times this season for 6 winners will get the ride as Joao Moreiera will partner the John Size trained Seize the Stars. We expect Forza Angel to run an improved race with cover from barrier 6. Healthy Luck’s jockey Umberto Rispoli will try and find a slot from barrier 9 to make this race competitive. Beauty Charisma is an interesting runner from John Moore’s yard. He finished last in his only run in Hong Kong as a second favorite. Since then, he has been rested for more than three months. He has had five trials since then and one of his trials where he ran second to Winner Supreme seems to indicate that his only run in Hong Konhg could be discounted. Beauty Charisma had won from both his starts in Australia by two lengths over an identical 1000 meter trip.

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.