Happy Valley racing preview & best bets | May 31, 2023
| What | Happy Valley Races |
| Where | Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong |
| When | Wednesday, May 31, 2023 |
| First Race | 6:45pm AEST (8:45pm AEST) |
We’re racing under lights at Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday night with a very competitive nine-race program scheduled. The rail is in the C+3 position for the meeting, so we’ll be looking for gallopers suited by inside draws and rails in running on our speed maps to get a major benefit throughout the night. We should be racing on a Good to Firm surface, with the first race set to get underway at 6:45pm HKT (8:45pm AEST).
Best Bet: Gallant Hero
Our best bet comes in the second race of the program in the form of the David Hall-trained Gallant Hero. This son of Fast Company is now searching for his third consecutive win after finding success in Class 5 at Happy Valley, before then producing another dominant win on the Sha Tin all-weather circuit in Class 4 company on May 10. Both wins came at the 1800m and now the step up to 2200m shouldn’t be an issue for Gallant Hero based on what we’ve seen in this preparation. Ever since getting out on a staying trip he just continues to revel in his racing, and jockey Zac Purton seems to get the best out of this five-year-old gelding, taking the reins twice for two victories. He maps to find the one-one position throughout on Wednesday night and although Gallant Hero might be starting to get caught out by the handicapper, we’re confident he can find his third straight win of the campaign.
Best Bet
Race 2 – 
#3 Gallant Hero (4)
5yo Gelding | T: David Hall | J: Zac Purton (58kg)
Next Best: Splendid Living
Splendid Living broke his Hong Kong maiden on February 15 and has since to find the winner’s enclosure again, but we think that all changes on Wednesday night. Since his last victory Splendid Living has run into second placing on three occasions, the latest coming on May 3 behind race rival Fortune President. He got nosed out on the winning post and was desperately unlucky not to get the photo finish, however, this time he gets a welcomed swing in the weights. Zac Purton takes the mount for the first time in his career and will be looking to ping the lids from barrier eight to lead. If they let Splendid Living cross to the rail and give away a cheap sectional or two, he’s going to be very hard to hold out.
Next Best
Race 3 – 
#2 Splendid Living (8)
6yo Gelding | T: Ricky Yiu | J: Zac Purton (61kg)
Next Best Again: Charming Steed
Charming Steed has found the minor money in his last two performances and will be looking to cap off his consistency with a win on Wednesday night. He chased home strongly behind One For All last time out at this course and distance, running out of time but losing no admirers in the process. He now stays rock bottom in the weights with 52.5kg on his back for Harry Bentley, and with a lack of tempo here, we think he should take luck out of the equation and lead them up from the inside draw. Hopefully he can hug the rail turning for home before bolting clear of his rivals to score a much-deserved second career win.
Next Best Again
Race 4 – 
#12 Charming Steed (2)
5yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Harry Bentley (52.5kg)
Wednesday quaddie tips for Happy Valley
Hong Kong quadrella selections
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
- 1-2-4-5-12
- 1-3-7-10
- 4-5-6-7-10
- 1-4-9-10-11
Investment: $500 for 100%