Sweet In Defeat

Happy Valley (M6) – Wednesday, 26 September 2018


By Hutchi

01/10/2018

Happy Valley had a track presented in GOOD condition with the running rail at the outermost “C+3” position, which means it’s set 11 metres out from the “true”, giving a track width of 19.5 metres.


RACE 1: C5 - 1000m
Course: TURF "C+3"     Going: GOOD

The steady sections favoured those on-pace, with two of the first three settling in positions “one-two” in the run. The horse that bucked that trend was Show Mission who posted the fifth-best final-200m (12.09) of the meeting. The concern is that he has only won 1/24 but might get his chance to add to that tally. 

RACE 2: C5 - 1800m
Course: TURF "C+3"     Going: GOOD

The first 1000m was slowly-run, over 10 lengths outside standard. Consequently, Amazing Gold (winner) had a beautiful run and was too good for one of our main bets Chiu Chow Kid who ended up further back than expected. He was very good in defeat but remains in the same class (a 3-point penalty) and he can win soon. Stick with him. 

RACE 3: C4 - 1200M
Course: TURF "C+3"     Going: GOOD

The swoopers dominated this race and there were some poor rides, including that on Nice Kick. The winner E-Master was very good, relished the tempo and actually clocked the second-best final-200m of the meeting (11.96) off a solid tempo. It was a very good win on his first start for the stable and he looks well treated for that with a 6-point penalty. He will be competitive again in this grade.

RACE 4: C4 - 1200M
Course: TURF "C+3"     Going: GOOD

This 1200m contest for C4 horses rated better than both C3 1200m races on the night, so unsurprisingly, Country Star was penalised accordingly, but up in grade he should win again – it was an impressive return.

RACE 5: C3 - 1650M
Course: TURF "C+3"     Going: GOOD

The best rating race of the night and it was a dominant win to Red Warrior from our SID file. He can win again, while Rickfield was slowly away but sustained a solid final 600m (35.48). Nitro Express is another that ran okay.

RACE 6: C4 - 1650M
Course: TURF "C+3"     Going: GOOD

They dead-set gifted this race to the winner, running 10 lengths slower than standard for the first 1250m. When Dylan Mo (Charity Wings) sat outside Sparkling Sword and held that position on that tempo, the chasers were never going to make an impact on the on-pacers. Gold Velvet was three-wide without cover for the trip and in hindsight should have made a move – he boxed on okay. However, eight of the 12 runners broke 23 seconds for the final-400m in what is going to be a hard race to read too much in to.

RACE 7: C3 - 1200M
Course: TURF "C+3"     Going: GOOD

it was a pretty good win by Most Beautiful who absorbed a solid tempo and still managed the second-best final-200m. Off a solid pace Smart Boy posted the 13th-best final-400m (22.81) of the meeting and was in doing so was good overall. Both runs back this season have been sound and he is close to a win and will make the SID file.

RACE 8: C3 - 1200M
Course: TURF "C+3"     Going: GOOD

A solid tempo was set here and it was a decent win to Sparkling Dragon. Double Valentine was checked at the 500m and could have won, it was very sound in defeat, while King Opie closed with the second-best final-200m of the race when never really in the hunt. However, Double Valentine is certainly one to consider going forward. 


Sweet In Defeat "Black Bookers"


  • Show Mission

  • Double Valentine

  • Smart Boy