Happy Valley tips article for the race meeting on 1st February 2023

Selections and analysis for Wednesday’s (01/02/23) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley.

Picture: HKJC

Race 1: #9 Heavenly Thought, #11 Travel Glory, #7 Viva A La, #6 Euromissile
Race 2: #5 Loyal Ambition, #8 Fortune Triple, #1 Dazzling Fellow, #3 Glorious Lover
Race 3: #10 Packing Monkeyking, #4 Baby, #3 Villa Fionn, #7 Young Life Forever
Race 4: #5 Copartner Fionn, #4 Chill Chibi, #2 Viva Popcorn, #8 Packing Succeeder
Race 5: #3 Solar Partner, #5 Mr Fun, #2 Kokushi Musou, #8 Oversubscribed
Race 6: #1 Tianchi Monster, #9 Samarkand, #4 Rocket Spade, #2 Prime Minister
Race 7: #7 Righteous Arion, #3 Mega Bonus, #5 King Eccellente, #2 Compassion Super
Race 8: #9 Sugar Sugar, #5 Humble Star, #11 Howdeepisyourlove, #1 Adios
Race 9: #3 Armour Eagle, #7 Gold Gold Baby, #1 Excellent Peers, #11 Science Patch

Race 1: Bowen Handicap

#9 Heavenly Thought is improving with each run this season, suggesting that a win is just around the corner. He draws ideally here and should get his chance to roll over the top of this group. #11 Travel Glory has shown he is capable of winning. Still, he's yet to do so but is favoured with no weight on his back from gate one. #7 Viva A La has caught the eye of Alexis Badel. He improved last time out and does appear capable of taking another step forward here. #6 Euromissile is racing well and is worth consideration.

Race 2: Morrison Hill Handicap

Angus Chung gets another chance aboard #5 Loyal Ambition. Expect this horse to lead as he did last time and with gate one he should be able to do so easily. He'll take running down with the 10lb apprentice claim in use. #8 Fortune Triple is racing well and did manage a close-up third last time out. He can improve once more. #1 Dazzling Fellow is racing with plenty of merit in this grade. Strong booking of Hugh Bowman ensures his chance. #3 Glorious Lover is improving and has shown he has what it takes. Keep safe.

Race 3: Oi Kwan Handicap (2nd Section)

#10 Packing Monkeyking has the class and ability, however, he just needs to know how to use it all at once. Last start he let rip like he was going to win but instead managed to cause a bit of interference. Even still, he's worth taking another chance on as he clearly has the ability. #4 Baby does some of his best racing under Karis Teetan. He's drawn ideally. #3 Villa Fionn can contend. Expect he takes closer order here from barrier two. #7 Young Life Forever is racing well and can fight out another finish.

Race 4: Oi Kwan Handicap (1st Section)

#5 Copartner Fionn was solid over the closing stages last start. Expect he can take another step forward here and his pairing with Hugh Bowman is a big plus. #4 Chill Chibi caught the eye on debut when flashing into second at 60/1. He draws a touch more awkward this time but his first-out effort is hard to ignore. #2 Viva Popcorn loves the course and distance. The 10lb apprentice claim from Angus Chung will help. #8 Packing Succeeder is next best. He was impressive on debut when third.

Race 5: Stubbs Handicap (2nd Section)

#3 Solar Partner rattled home to finish an impressive third last time out. He can take another step forward here and he's favoured with Silvestre de Sousa retaining the ride. #5 Mr Fun is racing well and can reverse his fortune after finishing 11th last time out. He's much better than that and it clearly isn't a worry as Hugh Bowman is with him again. #2 Kokushi Musou was sharp when second last time out. #8 Oversubscribed can mix his form but does boast a powerful finish on his day. He's closing in on another win.

Race 6: Volunteers' Challenge Cup Handicap

#1 Tianchi Monster steps back to Class 3. He does some of his best racing in this grade and his effort three runs ago over the course and distance – and in this class – was excellent. #9 Samarkand has mixed his form so far but there must be a certain level of expectation regarding him as he's been well backed on occasions. #4 Rocket Spade can take another step forward here. Hugh Bowman sticks aboard; he's a winner in waiting. #2 Prime Minister has claims. The inside draw bodes well for his chances. 

Race 7: Stubbs Handicap (1st Section)

#7 Righteous Arion is doing everything right except win. He's proving to be quite a consistent customer and the inside gate should ensure his chance. #3 Mega Bonus will need to cross the field if he is to lead again, which he may well do. The 10lb apprentice claim will be a big, big help. #5 King Eccellente is in a rich vein of form with two wins from his last two starts. He gets another shot in Class 4 which could prove decisive over the concluding stages. #2 Compassion Super can go on with it again. Next best.

Race 8: Tin Lok Handicap (2nd Section)

#9 Sugar Sugar rises to Class 3 but he has shown previously that he does appear capable of competing in this grade. Expect he can do exactly that here with the light weight and inside gate. #5 Humble Star appears to have a nice future and the booking of Silvestre de Sousa bears close watching. #11 Howdeepisyourlove is in superb form. He was competitive last start at his first try in Class 3. He can take another step forward here with his development. #1 Adios knows what it's all about. He'll be fighting out the finish. 

Race 9: Tin Lok Handicap (1st Section)

#3 Armour Eagle was strong through the line last start when winning in this grade. He draws ideally here and if he gets a cheap run throughout then he should get every chance to go back-to-back. #7 Gold Gold Baby is looking for a fifth win this term. He draws the right gate and his rise looks far from over. #1 Excellent Peers has to overcome a wide gate and hefty weight. This will challenge him but Zac Purton is the one aboard. #11 Science Patch has the right form and he should get the right run. Next best.


Hong Kong Jockey Club