WINNO'S WINNERS: HAPPY VALLEY, APRIL 23, 2025

By Darren Winningham | Tuesday, April 22, 2025

The Hong Kong Jockey Club races at the picturesque Happy Valley track on Wednesday in the lead up to the 2025 FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin.

The rail is in the normal position, and we are racing on a ‘Good’ surface.

It is always a challenge to find a winner at this unique tight, turning trackwhich can favour leaders and horses drawn well. Last week leaders and runners close to the pace had a field day.

Well, here goes my preview.

Race 1

A Class 5 race over 1200m to start off the program.

Frankie Lor and Karis Teetan combine here with Gimme Five (1). He drops back in grade. He can run time over this distance with solid efforts at Sha Tin. The main issue with this runner is he sometimes struggles to begin cleanly and he cannot afford to miss the start at this tight turning track. If he gets a clean getaway, I expect him to be in the finish.

Hoss (8) will be ridden by Hong Kong’s premier rider Zac Purton. Two starts ago he was a very good second here at this track and distance. Since then he's had a six week freshen up then resumed here three weeks ago and ran a solid race. He has drawn awkwardly in barrier 11 and Purton will need some luck from out there. Do not overlook this runner.

Glorious Expert (3) is trained by David Hall and Luke Ferraris will ride. He has had a month freshen up and comes to the races drawn well. He is a definite rough chance.

Joyful Life (6) will be ridden by Derek Leung. He has been racing over 1400 metres at the Sha Tin track. I really think he needs the shorter distance to show his best and he gets this opportunity here.

It is a tough race to open the programme. Maybe she would sit back and have a look at how the pattern of racing starts to pan out.

Selections:

1 – Gimme Five
8 – Hoss
3 – Glorious Expert
6 – Joyful Life
Rough chances – (7) Speedy Fortune

Race 2

A middle-distance race over 1800 metres at Class 5 level.

Casper Fownes is “King of the Valley.” He trains Verbier (7) and Luke Ferraris will be aboard. Drawn well in barrier 2, he raced over 1650 metres last start and posted a win. He goes up in weight, but he will be your leader here and out in front for a long way.

The runners down in the weights may have a distinct advantage. Joyful Champion (11) is trained by C.W.Chang and Keith Yeung will ride. He ran a solid race last start over 2000 metres and finished a very good second. He is drawn well here and should race close to the speed. He only carries 52 kilograms in the race and he has a very strong finish and I expect him to be flashing late and he could cause a major upset at good odds.

Kingly Demeanor (3) will be ridden by Ben Thompson for Tony Cruz. He is dropping back from Grade 4 to a Grade 5 race. Has a big weight but has drawn very well. He has won at the track and distance and I expect him to be competitive.

Super Hong Kong (8) has Purton aboard for C Yip. He raced over 2000 metres last start at Sha Tin and got too far back before storming home late and finishing close in behind the winner. Purton has his work cut out for him here in this race drawn in barrier 11, but one thing is for sure … this runner will run the distance right out and will be thereabouts when the whips are cracking.

Selections:

11 – Joyful Champion
7 – Verbier
3 – Kingly Demeanor
8 – Super Hong Kong
Rough chances – (6) Strongest Boy

Race 3

A sprint race over 1200 metres – this time at Class 4 level.

Zac Purton rides Swagger Bro (3) for David Hayes. Two starts ago at this track and distance he was very good running a placing, and he then had no luck three weeks ago at the same distance and track. I would suggest you overlook that run and look for a bold effort. Again, Purton had no luck with the draw with this runner drawing barrier 11.

Incredible Moment (7) is trained by Mark Newnham who is having a superb second season in HK … now with an impressive 36 wins and HK$69 million in prizemoney. Luke Ferraris goes aboard this three-year-old gelding making his debut in Hong Kong after previously being trained in QLD. He looks very forward with two recent barrier trial wins and I expect him to be very well found in the markets, possibly starting favourite. I just want to see him race here before backing him.

Top Peak (4) will be written by Hugh Bowman and is third up this preparation. I think he's ready to show something in this race that looks ideal for him. Drawn barrier 3 – keep safe.

Prime Mortar (2) is trained by Tony Cruz and will have Jimmy Orman aboard. I think he did not enjoy the firm track here last time out. I would suggest you forgive that run and go on his previous efforts here where he has been consistent.

Fortune Whiskey (1) is not without an each-way chance.

Selections:

3 – Swagger Bro
7 – Incredible Moment
4 – Top Peak
2 – Prime Mortar
Rough chances – (1) Fortune Whiskey

Race 4

The jockeys will need luck here – this race is over 1000 metres at Class 4 grade.

All’s Well (6) was a debut runner here for trainer C Yip last time and will be ridden again by Ben Thompson. In that run he drew wide, and Thompson was forced to race at the rear of the field before unleashing a powerful finishing burst to flash home late. He is drawn ideally in barrier 3 this week and I’m looking for Thompson to be positive and go forward and hopefully get a win.

Plentiful (5) is trained by Pierre Ng and Andrea Atzeni will ride. He won here over this distance three starts ago and since then I think he has struggled with the increased weight. Drawn well again this week in barrier 2, he will race on the speed and be hard to hold out.

Super Sixty (7) is trained by Casper Fownes and has the apprentice E Wong riding and claiming 3 kilograms. Look for him to jump from barrier 1 and go forward. If he gets left alone in front, he could be very hard to run down late.

Happy United (3) is trained by Jamie Richards who had a winning double here last week. Brenton Avdulla will ride. He has drawn ordinary in barrier 10, but something tells me with any luck he could cause an upset.

Spicy Knuckles (12) is down in the weights. Matthew Poon aboard. Drawn well and is one that can run handy throughout.

Selections:

6 – All’s Well
5 – Plentiful
7 – Super Sixty
3 – Happy United
Rough chances – (12) Spicy Knuckles

Race 5

The feature race of the evening The Lusitano Challenge Cup – Class 4 over 1200 metres.

Bienvenue (10) is trained by David Hayes with Zac Purton to ride. These two are a lethal combination when they get together. This three-year-old gelding has had his races very well-spaced this preparation. His last two starts have been at Sha Tin and both times he has put in a solid effort. Draw barrier 7 and with some speed around him, I expect Purton to just jump and get to the rails and take a sit and then be too strong at the end of the race for the opposition.
New Power (9) is a likely danger … rained by C.W.Chang and Anthony Hamelin will ride. His past two efforts at this track and distance have been solid. I just hope that he gets some luck from barrier 10. If he gets that luck, he should be right in the finish.

Jumbo Treasure (1) is a last start winner at Sha Tin in over 1200 metres. He will be ridden again by Derek Leung. He has a large weight to contend with in this race. However, he has a very strong finish that could see him working home late to get the job done.

Flying Wrote (3) will be ridden by Matthew Poon for Tony Cruz. He has drawn ideally in barrier 1 this week. He generally does perform well at this track … just forget the last start effort here where he drew barrier 12 and really had no chance in the running. Watch out for a bold performance this week.

Selections:

10 – Bienvenue
9 – New Power
1 – Jumbo Treasure
3 – Flying Wrote
Rough chances – (4) Sky Cap

Race 6

A race over 1650 metres – Class 4.

Ace War (4) is trained by Douglas Whyte and has Jimmy Orman aboard from barrier 1. He has been racing at Sha Tin over 1800 and 2000 metres in his past few starts. I expect the dropping back in distance will suit him and from barrier 1 Orman should be able to set up a nice lead or take a sit and be hard to hold out late.

Firefoot (5) has the services of Zac Purton for trainer W. Y. So. He also has been racing over 1800 and 2000 metres in his past few starts. I expect dropping back in distance suits him well and he has won at the track and distance.

Sky Vino (2) is trained by Casper Fownes with a senior rider Hugh Bowman going back aboard. Bowman won on him here three starts ago. Last start he drew wide here, was ridden by an apprentice and really had no luck. Looking for the senior writer to change his fortunes.

Midori Fuji (3) is trained by David Eustace and Karis Teetan will ride. His past three starts have been at this track and distance. He's not without a chance but barrier 11 has done him no favours.

Selections:

4 – Ace War
5 – Firefoot
2 – Sky Vino
3 – Midori Fuji
Rough chances – (7) Wah May Wai Wai

Race 7

This time a race over 1200 metres – Class 3 with only ten runners to face the starter.

Beauty Infinity (3) has Brenton Avdulla riding for the astute John Size, who currently leads this season’s trainer’s championship in Hong Kong. He won two starts ago here over this distance with Brenton aboard. On that occasion he ran some good time and if he repeats those sectionals here, he will be winning this race. I would suggest you overlook his last start effort where he had no luck in the running. Drawn nicely in barrier 4 look for him to dominate this race.

Lucky Eight (4) is trained by Ricky Yiu and Matthew Poon will ride. He ran a very good second to Beauty Infinity (3) last time out. He then has been freshened and has won a recent barrier trial suggesting he is very forward for this run. He is drawn barrier 8. Look for a strong effort.

King Of Fighters (5) has been heavily backed in his past two starts at this track and distance and on both occasions has only run a place. He is trained by Tony Cruz and will be written by Zac Purton. These two champion uniting in force could see a change of luck for this runner. Barrier 3 is a huge plus for him here.

Power Koepp (6) is on a 7-day quick backup for trainer Mark Newnham. He won two starts ago in Grade 4 company before stepping up to Grade 3 last week and ran a bold race after being heavily supported in the markets. He has drawn well again this week in barrier 2.

Selections:

3 – Beauty Infinity
5 – King Of Fighters
6 – Power Koepp
4 – Lucky Eight
Rough chances – (9) What This One

Race 8

A Class 3 race over 1000 metres. They go fast in these races and barriers are a huge factor.

Celestial Colours (3) is trained by Jamie Richards with Hugh Bowman riding. Has been knocking on the door in recent starts … is third up and drawn well in barrier 2. Looks like the likely leader on paper and could be hard to peg back.

Mark Newnham trains Youthful Spirits (2) with Luke Ferraris on top. In his past two starts he has been heavily supported and has been run down late after leading all the way and being a sitting duck. I really can't see anything changing in this race. It looks like he will be a sitting duck again with the swoopers likely to take advantage of that – maybe he can hold on!

Horsepower (1) is another solid ride for Zac Purton. He is trained by Frankie Lor and his gelding can run some serious time and sectionals. Despite the huge weight and being poorly drawn in barrier 10, he still must be respected. He could be one of the swoopers I mentioned storming home late.

Casa Of Honor (7) has Matthew Poon aboard for trainer C. W .Chang. This is the runner I am worried about. He had his first run in Hong Kong here after being trained in NSW in Australia. He drew barrier 10 and was forced to race wide. Just ran out of condition late, but still managed to finish third. He has drawn well in barrier 4 and should strip fitter now – keep safe.

Parent’s Love has been winning. Down in the weights … up in class. Not without a genuine chance.

Selections:

3 – Celestial Colours
2 – Youthful Spirits
1 – Horsepower
7 – Casa Of Honor
Rough chances – (12) Parent’s Love

Race 9

A Class 3 over 1800 metres. The last race on the program.

Beauty Alliance (3) is trained by John Size with Alexis Badel to ride him again. He won two in a row here before racing in the Group 1 Hong Kong Derby. He does drop back in grade now but must lump 60 kilograms. He will be in this race for a long way. He normally likes to race handily, but barrier 8 may see him drop back a few pairs back and get a nice run.

Mark Newnham trains one ironically who will be of some value in the race – Excellence Value (7) with Luke Ferraris riding. He is drawn perfectly in barrier 1 and did win here two starts ago over 1650 metres. He raced a month ago and since then he has had a freshen up and a recent barrier trial where he went well. I think that, down in the weights, he could cause an upset here at a big price.

Fallon (4) is trained by Tony Cruz with Ben Thompson riding him. He won three starts ago here at this distance. At his last start he raced over 2200 metres and was not disgraced when running second. I really think 1800 metres is more his go, so look for a bold showing.

Jumbo Legend (5) is a Casper Fownes runner and a last start winner here over 2200 metres. Drops back in distance, but should be in the finish.

Turn Mascot (2) is not without a rough chance.

Selections:

7 – Excellence Value
3 – Beauty Alliance
4 – Fallon
5 – Jumbo Legend
Rough chances – (2) Turin Mascot
______________________________________________________________________

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

3,7,8,11 / 2,3,4,7 / 3,5,6,7 / 1,3,9,10 - cost is $256 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races to 5).

7,11 / 3,4,7 / 5,6 / 9,10 - cost is $24 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

2,3,4,5 / 3,4,5,6 / 1,2,3,7 / 3,4,7 - cost is $192 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

2,4,5 / 3,5 / 2,3 / 3,4,7 - cost is $36 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

3,4,5,6 / 1,2,3,7 / 3,4,7 - cost is $48 to $1

SUPER 6 (HK only races 4 to 9)

5,6 / 9,10 / 2,4,5 / 3,5 / 2,3 / 3,4,7 - cost is $144 to $1

More articles