Happy Valley Tips - Best & Value Bets for June 12

The Ricky Yiu-trained galloper has found his mojo this preparation and looks a solid chance of ringing up the hat-trick in this event.

Two starts back, the Zoustar gelding beat home a Class 5 field, here over 1200m with Harry Bentley aboard, then franked that effort last start with Alex Badel in charge when he stepped up in grade and won a Class 4 Hcp over 1200m, crossing the line a length clear in the end.

It’s a case of déjà vu here only Bentley returns to steer the ship in this assignment.

Ideally drawn in gate three, he maps to settle right behind the speed with cover and if he sees daylight at the right time, he can make it three-straight in this contest.

Danny Shum saddles-up his four-year-old here who boasts a strong liking for the Happy Valley track and with most boxes ticked, he looks a real chance of victory in this event.

Last start, the American-sired gelding just missed a podium finish when he took home fourth prize in the Group 1 Champion’s Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin.

It was a mighty effort after climbing so steeply in grade that day, beaten just over three lengths on the line. 

This is a huge drop in class and will find this challenge a lot easier.

Zac Purton steered him to victory here three starts back in a Class 2 over 1650m and has the job again for this assignment.

He meets Class 2 company again on a track where four starts have ended in two wins and a close-up second.

From barrier eight, his early gate speed has him settling in the first half-dozen and back on familiar turf, he should prove hard to beat.

The Jamie Richards-trained galloper makes his Hong Kong debut here and bringing strong Australian form with him, is every chance of showing up here on fresh legs.

Last start, the Sioux Nation gelding had his final race at Moonee Valley (where he raced as ‘Archo Nacho’), and won the Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes over 1200m.

Since arriving in Hong Kong, he has trialled four times, winning two of those while placing in the other two.

His five Australian race starts ended with three wins and together with his trial results here, he lines up in this contest looking a real chance on fresh legs. 

Ideally drawn in gate four, Hugh Bowman has the honours of partnering him in his Happy Valley debut and based on his resume, he can figure in this contest.

The John Size-trained galloper has been ever consistent in his career to date, boasting two wins and five minor placings from just ten starts and looks a real threat here in this line-up.

Last start, the Toronado gelding had his first look at the Sha Tin track which didn’t turn out well for him where he finished mid-field in a Class 3 Hcp over 1200m where they ran that trip in a nippy 1:08.4.

Never on the track, he travelled three wide to the turn, then was pushed even wider and considering that was his first run on the all-weather surface, he still fought on strongly and did well to finish in sixth place.

Size puts him over the 1650m trip for the first time here and takes the pacifiers off as well.

Zac Purton boasts five rides for a win and four minor placings with the four-year-old and is back in the saddle for this assignment.

Back on the grass track here, he looks every chance of returning to the winner’s circle in this contest.