WINNO'S WINNERS: HAPPY VALLEY, APRIL 22, 2026
By Darren Winningham | Tuesday, April 21, 2026
On Wednesday, the Hong Kong Jockey Club races at the picturesque Happy Valley track in the lead up to the 2026 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 track. Last week leaders and runners drawn well won most of the races.
There are contenders aplenty John Size trained four winners on Sunday, Karis Teetan rode three winners and Zac Purton posted 100 winners for the season. Then you have the lethal pair of Casper Fownes and Joao Moreira who combined to post four winners here a fortnight ago – the stage is set for another great night of racing.
I’m here. I’ll be watching it all live.
Here goes my preview.
NB: As these selections were made prior to race-day, please check for any changes to track conditions and for any scratchings on the day.
Race 1
A Class 5 race to start off the program – over 1200 metres.
Zac Purton rides Team Happy (8) for trainer C Chang. Has drawn well and should race forward – could be a solid way to get on the board early.
The danger is Taihang Scenery (10) ridden by apprentice Eddie Wong for trainer Danny Shum. He got caught wide last week here and backs up this week. Unfortunately he is drawn wide again but back in this grade I think he should run a bold race.
Thousand Cups (5) is trained by Tony Cruz and apprentice Angus Chang will ride. Tried to lead all the way a fortnight ago over the same distance however got rundown in the final 20 metres in a solid display.
Happy Boys (6) has the tongue tie going on here – an important gear change. Derek Leung will ride. Is first up after 8 week freshen up – he could run a bold race fresh.
Selections:
8 – TEAM HAPPY
10 – TAIHANG SCENERY
5 – THOUSAND CUPS
6 – HAPPY BOYS
Rough chance – (3) CONCORDE STAR
Race 2
A middle-distance race over 1650 metres at Class 5 level.
Well, here is a topical tip for all you QLD and BRONCO supporters. Jimmy Orman riding the Mark Newnham trained Soaring Bronco (2). He is a last start winner at this track and distance. He ran great time on that occasion. He is up in the weights and has drawn slightly awkwardly in barrier 9, but expect Orman to go forward from the start and put him in a handy position.
Double Bingo (6) is trained by Ricky Yiu and Matthew Poon will ride. A solid effort last week here at the track and distance. He is drawn very well so we can expect another bold showing.
Casper Fownes is “King of the Valley” – he trains Verbier (8) and Joao “The Magic Man” Moreira will be aboard. Drawn well in barrier 2 - raced over 1650 metres last start at Sha Tin. Has not won in a long time, but his two career wins have been at this track. From barrier 2 Moreira will push forward.
Podium (7) - can the owners stand on the “podium” and collect the chocolates. Trained by David Eustace and Jerry Chau aboard. Drew badly last time out here - in barrier 12. Has drawn well this week in barrier 1 and should be right in the running.
Selections:
2 – SOARING BRONCO
6 – DOUBLE BINGO
8 – VERBIER
7 – PODIUM
Rough chance – (4) TELECOM POWER
Race 3
Another race over 1650 metres – this time at the Class 4 level.
Mark Newnham has another solid chance here with Fortune Star (4) with Andrea Atzeni to ride. He has raced at this track and distance his past four starts – just has found some trouble on occasions. He has come down in the weights, and I think he may pop up here.
Star Elegance (6) is trained by Douglas Whyte and Derek Leung will ride. He has drawn the rails here and is third up this preparation. I think he is primed to post an overdue win. I expect they will sit in behind the speed and he could get over them late.
Our Lucky Glory (11) will be ridden by the in-form Karis Teetan and is trained by W Y So. This runner grabbed my attention as he was first up after three months off at this track and distance and was heavily supported in the betting and ran a gallant second. I expect him to strip fitter for that run and be prominent when the judge calls a halt to the race. Unfortunately, he is drawn wide and that may hinder his chance.
Yiu Cheung Victory (9) is a chance in the race as well – to be ridden by Alexis Badel.
Selections:
6 – STAR ELEGANCE
11 – OUR LUCKY GLORY
4 – FORTUNE STAR
9 – YIU CHEUNG VICTORY
Rough chances – (5) SHOOTING TO TOP
Race 4
David Hayes combines with Zac Purton here with Vigor Eye (6). Has resumed from a spell and has raced these last two starts at Sha Tin over this distance. This is his first career start at the Valley however, the time he ran last time out would see him win this race easily.
Flying Sniper (7) will be ridden by Hugh Bowman for David Hall. It is really a battle of the Aussies here for mine. This runner is third up for the new stable in Hong Kong and he continues to improve and get better at every start. He is drawn badly this week in barrier 11, but I expect him to be in the firing line late.
Georgian Sigma (3) is trained by Pierre Ng and Matthew Poon rides. Badly drawn in barrier 12 and is second up this preparation. He is having his fourth career start in Hong Kong. The stable has a high opinion of him – I am sure he is ready to fire.
Jolly Companion (4) trained by K L Mann and Vincent Ho riding could be a knockout chance at odds – keep safe.
Selections:
6 – VIGOR EYE
7 – FLYING SNIPER
3 – GEORGIAN SIGMA
4 – JOLLY COMPANION
Race 5
The feature race of the evening The Lusitano Challenge Cup – Class 4 over 1200 metres.
There are a couple of runners here that have had a four week freshen up and have recently gone to the trials and won and trials impressively.
Winning Champion (12) trained by Danny Shum will be ridden by Lyle Hewitson. Has drawn well in barrier four - should be able to go forward and be placed prominently throughout in running. I suppose there is only one concern - he's had three career starts at this track and has never run a placing.
Thunder Prince (11) Is trained by Jamie Richards and ridden by Zac Purton. He has drawn barrier 1 which will help him a great deal, however his career record does not read all that well with 29 career starts with only 8 placings and is yet to post a win in Hong Kong.
Winning Money (4) is another resuming after a freshen up. Look at his name – everyone loves to win money right – especially with WINNO’s tips. He won previously first up here and his recent trial was solid. Trained by Francis Lui and with Luke Ferraris aboard, he is going to be difficult to hold out here.
Speedy Smartie (1) is the top weight and will carry 61 kilograms for Brett Crawford. Karis Teetan will ride him – this trainer and jockey have a lethal strike rate when they combine. He has run some tremendous times and sectionals at his past starts at Sha Tin. He has a solid record at the Valley – with 2 wins and 3 placings. Unfortunately, he is drawn wide in barrier 11 - that may be a problem as he likes to race on the speed. If he jumps cleanly and if Karis can get him in from the wide barrier, he should be hard to peg back.
Selections:
4 – WINNING MONEY
1 – SPEEDY SMARTIE
12 – WINNING CHAMPION
11 – THUNDER PRINCE
Rough chances – (7) SILVER SPURS
Race 6
A race over 1000 metres – Class 4. Barriers are normally crucial here.
I think they will jump out trees to back one here – Jumbo Blessing (8) trained by Casper Fownes with Moreira to ride. He is resuming here and comes off a recent solid barrier trial win over this distance at Sha Tin. Drawn barrier 4 and first up he will be well supported. This will give you a good price for other chances in the race.
I like the chances of Beauty Show (4) who is trained by Frankie Lor will be ridden by Zac Purton. He resumed racing here a fortnight ago and drew barrier eight, the same barrier as he was drawn on Wednesday night. On that occasion led them throughout the race only to go down in the final bound. He would have stripped fitter for that effort. I expect him to win the race.
King Profit (3) is trained by Danny Shum with apprentice Eddie Wong in the saddle. He has been doing all his racing over 1200 metres of late. Last start he led throughout here and was rundown late. I think the shorter distance will suit him as he will be able to lead and he should be full of running when the race finishes. He has drawn horribly in barrier 12.
Day Day Victory (5) will be huge odds. Trained by CW Chang and Jimmy Orman will ride. This runner also has been racing over 1200 metres without much success of late - adjusting and coming back in distance is the right move here. He has a solid record at this track and distance with three of his four career wins being posted here. Barrier 6 is ideal as well – do not underestimate his chances.
Selections:
4 – BEAUTY SHOW
3 – KING PROFIT
8 – JUMBO BLESSING
5 – DAY DAY VICTORY
Rough chance – (6) GRAND NOVA
Race 7
A race over 1000 metres – Class 3. They will go fast here.
Sky Cap (10) is another solid chance for the dynamic duo of Fownes and Moreira. A last start winner here two weeks ago in Class 4 grade over 1200 metres. The gelding has never won over 1000 metres – all three career wins have occurred at this track.
Bunta Baby (5) is trained by K L Man with Alexis Badel to ride. A solid effort over this distance winning last time out. That was four weeks ago – freshened up and back to the races. The tempo of the race should pan out for him again here. Speed on early – he will trail them and unleash late. Barrier 11 is not ideal.
Together We Value (4) will be ridden by Hugh Bowman for trainer C H Yip. He drew barrier 12 last start here and got flattened at the start – but then settled at the rear and flashed home late. I think on that run he has a tremendous chance at odds to win the race.
Horsepower (1) will be ridden by Purton for Frankie Lor. Drew barrier 10 when narrowly defeated last time out by Bunta Baby (5). Has drawn well in barrier 2 this week. I think he will reverse the result of his last start loss – but may have to contend with some new opposition. Still, he looks like a solid chance.
Selections:
4 – TOGETHER WE VALUE
1 – HORSEPOWER
10 – SKY CAP
5 – BUNTA BABY
Rough chances – (2) CANDLELIT DINNER
Race 8
A Class 3 race over 1800 metres.
Ace War (11) for Zac Purton and Mark Newnham will probably go off as favourite. Has won his past two starts and was solid last time out at the distance here. He goes up in grade but down in weight. He seems to have a lot of potential – clearly, they are taking their time with this runner and working through the grades.
Liveandletlive (1) will be ridden by Hugh Bowman for Tony Cruz. He will be handy throughout – he loves to bowl along in front and make them chase him. He does have to carry 59 kilograms – but barrier 3 tips the scales in his favour for mine. His times and sectionals suggest that he will give them something to catch. Ace War (11) will be coming from behind and will need some luck in the straight – hopefully, Bowman can hold on late.
China Win (3) is trained by David Hayes and Keith Yeung will be in the saddle. Won here at this distance three starts ago – then was sent out as an odds-on favourite and was beaten. Has raced at Sha Tin over a mile since then. Back to a track and distance that he loves he will be somewhere in the finish. Barrier 2 will be of vital importance as well – he will be racing forward throughout – keep safe.
Moreira and Fownes combine again with So You Will (5) – stepping up in distance from 1650 metres to 1800 metres. Look I think he will be somewhere late – but cannot win the race – but the locals will be backing him.
Selections:
1 – LIVEANDLETLIVE
11 – ACE WAR
3 – CHINA WIN
5 – SO YOU WILL
Race 9
A Class 3 over 1200 metres. The last race on the program.
My Day My Way (4) is a last start winner here. Trained by Danny Shum and apprentice Jerry Chau will ride again. Will have to contend with barrier 11 – that is not ideal – but with the speed in the race he could finish off strongly.
Love Together (3) is another strong chance for Fownes and Moreira. Has had a six week freshen up and a recent solid barrier trial. He will be well placed, is ridden by Moreira and drawn barrier 5 which is ideal.
Greater Bae (6) is trained by David Eustace and will have Andrea Atzeni aboard. He stormed home late last time out to narrowly missed when beaten by My Day My Way (4). I think that he will beat that runner home. He is proven at this track and distance and will enjoy being given cover in the running.
I like Aurio (1) to win the last race – Zac Purton will ride for K L Man. He won here at this distance last time out. He does go up in the weights and that is the only concern – but his time and sectionals would suggest that he will be hard to hold out. Has drawn perfectly in barrier 4 – will be handy throughout.
Selections:
1 – AURIO
6 – GREATER BAE
3 – LOVE TOGETHER
4 – MY DAY MY WAY
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Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)
2,6,8 / 4,6,11 / 6,7 / 1,4,12 - cost is $54 to $1
Value Early Quaddie (races to 5)
2,6 / 6,11 / 6,7 / 1,4 - cost is $16 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
3,4,5,8 / 1,4,10 / 1,3,11 / 1,3,6 - cost is $108 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
3,4,8 / 1,4 / 1,11 / 1,6 - cost is $24 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
1,4,10 / 1,3,11 / 1,3,6 - cost is $27 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
Jockeys Challenge
Zac Purton looks like he may win – however Hugh Bowman has some nice rides.
Trainers Challenge
Mark Newnham has some nice horses with genuine chances. His main danger must be the King Of The Valley Casper Fownes. Danny Shum also has a genuine chance.
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