The weekly Happy Valley meeting returns tonight with a nice nine-race card to keep us entertained. I'm keen on a few going around tonight and hoping for a nice result!
Blake Lalor brings you his preview and Happy Valley racing tips for Wednesday night. Check out his best bets of the card below!
Happy Valley Racing Tips: Wednesday 28th December
Race 5
(3) Star Contact deserves a win now and can get it as he strikes a race which has more speed than last time. He flashed home last time for 4th but was too far back in the run to win after drawing gate 11 with Silvestre De Sousa aboard. Zac Purton takes over this time and should have the horse charging home for a nice victory provided the pace is strong enough.
(11) Winwin Thirtythree is flying this prep. He’s up in class now after winning 1st up and finishing 2nd twice since. He’s a main chance in this race with only 53.5kg on his back.
(5) Sunny Delight gets the services of Hugh Bowman after he was short in the market last time but failed to impact the race finishing 8th. He was a winner prior and has been thereabouts in all his runs so far this season. Danger.
(3) Star Contact Win
$2.70 (2 Units)
Race 6
(12) Theta Hedge is the best chance in this race for mine. He rises in class after a facile victory in C5 last time but gets only 52.5kg on his back from gate 2 here. He looks likely to settle leader’s back from that draw which should see him very hard to beat at e/w odds.
(3) Spicy Grill looks phenomenal every time he runs but the simple fact is he rarely wins. His racing pattern has a lot to do with that as he often spots the leaders a big start around the turn. From gate 10 it won’t be any different this time and although he’s likely to be thereabouts across the line, it’s unlikely he’ll be in front.
(6) Amazing Boy is drawn well in gate 6 and interestingly drops back from 2200m to 1650m here with Silvestre De Sousa aboard. Not sure how he’ll handle that drop in trip but he’s a talented horse and with a decent run should be in the finish.
(12) Theta Hedge Each-Way
$5.50/$2.15 (1 Unit)
Race 7
(3) Rattan Kingdom should be winning this race. He was a dominant victor in this class last time beating some rivals he meets again. The weight swing doesn’t look like it’ll be enough at this stage with Rattan Kingdom drawing well and mapping to receive run of the race under Zac Purton.
(1) Durham Star is a talented horse and just didn’t fire last time like he should have. He can bounce back to form here and may take some beating, just a question of whether he can find his best after a subpar performance last time
(10) Happy Tango may be able to lead for a long way here and potentially even pinch this race. He’s capable of such a feat in this company and has found a race lacking speed which should suit him. 53.5kg will also suit him so don’t write him off.
(3) Rattan Kingdom Win
$1.75 (3 Units)
Race 9
(4) Amazing One Plus was unlucky last time having to change course and shift off heels on two separate occasions in the straight. He was only 1.5L and 0.1L off the winner in his two prior attempts and draws perfectly here with Jerry Chau back aboard.
(10) Win Win Fighter was able to win last time in the final strides to advance to C3 now. He’s a highly capable 4yo and is drawn perfectly in gate 1 for Silvestre De Sousa. I’d expect him to just about get run of the race and prove difficult to beat with luck.
(6) Maldives is a painful horse to follow at times but is an extremely explosive and entertaining horse to watch race at his best. He can find his best here under Hugh Bowman with gate 8 having little impact since he’s a horse that likes to power through the finish rather than lead early.
(4) Amazing One Plus Each-Way
$15/$4 (1 Unit)
