Oct 22 Hong Kong (Happy Valley) form analysis

Race 1 (1,000m)

2 Super Sixty looks primed for a bounce-back win third-up, following a luckless sixth first-up when held up in second behind Parents' Love last start. He is trending the right way.

10 Savvy Twinkle has been trialling well and the booking of Zac Purton is a key push. He was narrowly beaten by Super Sixty three runs back and gets his chance to turn the tables.

1 Lean Master maps for the right run just off the pace from barrier 2 and should take a step forward second-up, after fading late first-up.

7 Conrad The Great resumes for just his second start and looks to have come on nicely since his debut, judging by his improved trials. Luke Ferraris sticks with him, and he should be able to position up early and give himself every chance.

Race 2 (1,200m)

3 Run Run Timing looks well-placed to strike on his first run for trainer Ricky Yiu, stepping down to Class 5 for the first time off a strong trial win and drawing ideally in barrier 1.

9 Talents Supremo charged home into second on debut for trainer Danny Shum and with blinkers on for the first time. With Purton taking over second-up, plenty of boxes are ticked.

8 Colonel gets back to his preferred course and trip, returns with blinkers on, and maps for a soft lead from gate 4. He is a live chance to lift on recent runs.

2 Glory Cloud has held his own in Class 4 and now drops to the bottom grade for the first time, where he should be hitting the line well. One to keep safe.

Race 3 (1,200m)

3 Gastronomique was unwanted in betting on debut for the John Size yard but ran a promising race, seeing daylight only after the 300m and hitting the line well into sixth. He should come on nicely for that experience and looks ready to take the next step.

7 Know At Heart has not been far away in two runs this season and looks to get a race shape that suits his late style.

2 Written Casa is likely to ease back early from barrier 10 and be ridden for luck. His first-up 12th was better than it reads, and with expected improvement second-up, he can figure if the tempo suits.

1 Mega Bonus is one of the pace influences and comes into a much kinder draw than his first-up run, where he dropped right out. His map position improves significantly.

Race 4 (1,200m)

3 Denfield has been close up in both runs this season, finding the line strongly each time. He was set a task when positioned last in running last start and will need to map closer to boost his winning chances. Reuniting with Hugh Bowman is a key positive.

8 Von Baer has drawn poorly again in gate 12, just as he did at Sha Tin last start. He was strong late in finishing seventh after covering ground early before being restrained. That was a solid effort and he is trending the right way.

12 Telecom Power maps better this time from barrier 3 and his first-up and second-up runs have both been encouraging.

4 Rising Phoenix gets a jockey upgrade with Purton aboard and looks to lift third-up off two fair runs. But he will need early luck stepping from gate 10.

Race 5 (1,650m)

6 Take Action was a luckless sixth second-up when held up badly inside the final 200m and was unable to be fully tested. He comes into barrier 2 with Purton taking over, which should ensure he is not as far back this time.

12 Super Sicario followed up his maiden win in class 5 with a third to Mighty Steed back in Class 4, showing he is up to this grade and has clearly taken the next step this season.

1 Quantum Patch is knocking on the door with two placings from as many starts this term. He is hard to fault and can get every chance again.

3 Super Unicorn draws barrier 1 and returns to this course and trip, after being unsuited on the all-weather last time. He can strike at this level any time.

Race 6 (1,000m)

5 Colourful King showed plenty of promise last season, winning two from six - both times over this trip - and gives the impression that he will be climbing the ratings further this term. He has been winning his trials impressively and looks ready to fire fresh.

2 Horsepower ticks plenty of boxes for his return as a three-time winner from four first-up, and he gets back to this course and trip where he is two-from-two. This is a competitive event where nearly every runner has a case, but Purton should give him every hope from barrier 3.

8 Harmony N Blessed can always run a cheeky race at odds. He is worth including in exotics, as he steps out third-up after a close fourth to his flying stablemate Tomodachi Kokoroe.

9 Youthful Spirits drops in weight and, while he does not win out of turn, he has placed 11 times at this course and trip and makes his own luck.

Race 7 (1,200m)

8 Silver Spurs draws ideally in barrier 1, where he should secure the run of the race and go one place better. After a strong first-up win over 1,000m, he stretched to 1,200m second-up and led everywhere bar the final few strides, where he was run down late by the progressive Lunar Dash.

11 Rewarding Twinkle was only ¾ length off in fifth first-up at Sha Tin. He should enjoy returning to Happy Valley, where he has shown a sharp turn of foot in the past. A first win looks within reach.5 Gameplayer Elite needed the run first-up, but was not far off in fifth and should strip fitter.2 Ace Power had excuses last start when held up late and can improve from gate 3 with a cleaner run.

Race 8 (1,650m)

5 South Star had plenty going against him in the run first-up, yet still stuck on gamely for second to Beauty Crescent. He now tackles the city circuit for the first time, but barrier 1 ensures Purton can give him the perfect run in transit, and he looks well-placed to bounce straight back.11 Top Time finished third in that same race and had every chance. He is one-from-two at the course and trip and, now third-up, has plenty of race fitness.

9 Ivy League is a solid ride for Richard Kingscote, who gets barrier 3 aboard Douglas Whyte's resuming galloper. He ended last season in solid form and his trials for return have been impressive.

3 Star Contact had an awkward trip when fading late into fifth last start, so it was a better run than it reads. A low draw boosts his map.

Race 9 (1,200m)

6 King Lotus made a big return with a dominant win by nearly 2 lengths, notching his second career victory in just his fourth start. He now rises to Class 3 but looks ready for the challenge, especially with a soft draw in barrier 2, a slick trial between runs, and the Mark Newnham stable in flying form.

8 Akashvani has done little wrong in seven starts and gets blinkers on, while Purton is an eye-catching booking as he tries Happy Valley for the first time.

4 Triumphant More could present decent odds. His form has not been great lately but, from barrier 1, and with a slight gear tweak third-up, he might lift.

2 Sovereign Fund did not map well last start, so his fourth held merit. Barrier 8 does not offer a straightforward run either, but on form, he has to be respected.

Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club