The pace was fast and this race rated highly. Given the tempo, Well Dragon performed very well as there was a fair amount of energy used through the early stages. There were some tired horses at the end of this one! The race should work out okay overall without any one runner really standing out behind the winner Success Allstars.

The pace picked up from the 800m which upgraded the win of Enjoyable Success and didn’t say much about the rest of them given the overall rating. They ran nearly a second slower than the other Class 5 section over 1800m and Joy N Fun Legend was the lowest rated galloper in the race and finished second. Enough said.

Spontaneous keeps winning and continues to fail to deliver an impressive figure. The pace was only even and the sprint home helped his cause given the sedate early sectionals. Cordyceps Two ran home his final-200m (11.36 4th-best at meeting) in good time after missing the start and considering this was only his second career start, he might be one to follow in the SID file.

This race didn’t rate well at all and a soft lead to Showina resulted in him leading from barrrier to finishing post. I’m far from convinced about the winner and the race as a whole. That said, Sun Of Makfi ran on well as he usually does and he probably isn’t far from notching up a win with a more suitable race shape.

It was a deserved win to Cheerful Days who enjoyed a good run midfield off a solid lead tempo, with the second half of the race run in pedestrian fashion. Ever Laugh was very good given the pace through the first half-mile, he might fly under the radar next time. Cheerful Days can be followed next time up in grade with a lighter weight. Regency Master struck trouble at a key stage, lost momentum and probably his chance of winning. If he holds that form he can win shortly as well.

The pace was slow in this event so the race didn’t rate well. Stock Legend had the right run and scored but had all favours. Transcendent (SID) posted a meeting-best final-400m (22.62) and given the race-shape wasn’t suited at all. Interestingly, this was his first run at Happy Valley and I would be happy to follow him again at that track.

This race rated about where it should and Young Legend continued his good record with Zac Purton on board. McLucky went hard in front and was empty late but on his second local start, showed enough promise to suggest he could be competitive next time in the right race. High Rise Soldier and Kai Xin Dragon also performed quite well and deserve respect the next time they appear.

The pace was pretty brutal here from the 800m mark when Moreira took off and hassled Fast Pace in the lead. Ultimately that set the race up nicely for Gift Of Lifeline to score. That’s what he needs, a solid tempo when those on pace tire. Smoothies is close to a win having finished second on his last two starts. He makes the SID file.

A very steady first three sectionals was set here and they ramped it up from the 800m. Charity Fun was close enough to the leaders when the sprint when on and he won well. Savaquin was terrific from well back in the field and closed very well indeed. The race rated about where it shoud for the grade but there does appear to be some nice progressive gallopers in this line-up.