Happy Valley: Wednesday, 13 December 2023

Luke Middlebrook

Trainer Danny Shum and jockey James McDonald could secure success in the final race on
Wednesday night with in-form six-year-old COPARTNER AMBITION.

Shum has handled the gelding for only 11 of his 33 starts but appears to have revitalized its form
lately by reintroducing blinkers. Additionally, it's worth noting that COPARTNER AMBITION
encountered wide barriers for most of its starts under Shum, until it drew barrier 4 and 2 in its
second-up and third-up runs this season, resulting in consecutive wins.

The performance in COPARTNER AMBITION'S last start, finishing fifth, was better than it reads, as it
suffered a check at the 200m and lost all momentum.

Nevertheless, once balanced up, the horse finished strongly, crossing the line two lengths off. With
the advantage of gate 1 on Wednesday night, McDonald should get the sweet run just off the pace
which should be genuine.

Speaking of barrier 1, in the race prior, a Class 3 1650m Handicap, five-year-old HOSS piques plenty
of interest as he steps out for his first run for leading trainer Pierre Ng.

Formerly trained by Jamie Richards, HOSS raced 12 timed for three wins and a couple of placings, all
over the 1200m journey. However, five starts ago, he turned in a good run into fifth over 1400m at
Sha Tin after racing wide from 700m, suggesting he has what it takes to get over more ground.

It’ll be interesting to see if Ng can turnaround HOSS’ form around as he has done with plenty of
other stable changes during his short time as a trainer in his own right so far.

Track Spy

Video Replay Stars

Race 7 – 4 SMART FIGHTER

Well backed last start to jump a loose $5.3 favourite, he was forced to race wide and without cover
from barrier 14 and finished a fair sixth place and beaten 5.25 lengths. Prior, he had turned in three
good runs in strong form races, suggesting a win is nearby. Bringing that good Sha Tin form with him
on his first try around the city circuit should hold him in good stead to run a much-improved raced
with better luck in running.

Race 8 – 5 TOURBILLON PRINCE

Yet to win in six local starts to date, he has been improving and getting closer to breaking through.
Two starts ago, he turned in a strong fi nish late to check in third behind the promising Chill Chibi
after copping a nasty check. This led to him being sent off favourite at his next start. However, he led
too quickly on that occasion and faded late into eighth, beaten 5.25 lengths, and also pulled up as a
roarer - a run to forget. He deserves another chance after a 35-day freshen.

Sectional Time Stars

Race 3 – 1 INVINCIBLE MISSILE

With a record of two wins from thee starts in Class 4, he can start to be followed again, especially
after he seemed to be recapturing form in recent runs as he turned in a couple of fast-finishing
efforts and not beaten far.

Race 9 – 11 HAPPY DAY

He has been a big improver since transferring to Jamie Richards, who applied blinkers for the first
time in the gelding's career. He is chasing a hat-trick for the yard and has been slick late in each of
his two wins, while he has trialled well since. Despite the rise in class, he should be able to measure
up now the penny has dropped.

Luke Middlebrook’s Selections
R1. 10-5-6-1
R2. 6-1-2-9
R3. 1-12-3-7
R4. 8-6-1-5
R5. 6-3-4-9
R6. 1-4-7-3
R7. 2-8-4-9
R8. 4-5-7-3
R9. 7-6-11-8

Betting Strategy:
R3 #1 Each-Way
R4 #8 Each-Way
R7 #2 Win
R8 #4 Each-Way
R9 #7 Each-Way

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Vamos remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here as blinkers go on for
the first time. Purton rides from a good gate and this is his chance to break through. Happy Horse
good effort last start leading all the way to win. The speed map appears to be in his favour again
here. Multimore had excuses last start when racing wide without cover, chance to improve with
better luck. Magic Traveller down in class in this race and should perform better from barrier 1.
Double Show well-placed and looks an each-way chance in a race like this.

Race 2: Regency Happy Star has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. There’s been
merit to those placings after mid-race moves, so a better-timed ride here could make a world of
difference. Cordyceps One has ability and should not be underestimated in this grade, can bounce
back anytime. Charmander backing up quickly from a good last start effort and can run well again
with luck from out wide. Medic Elite another on the quick back up and he always rates a chance.
Viva A La showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight. Can do the same here and may
hold down for a place.

Race 3: Invincible Missile has ability and is always dangerous in this grade with a record of two wins
from three starts. Requires a bit of luck being a backmarker but he should go close (read “Track Spy”
for more information). Splendid Star last start winner who rises in class but can measure up. Whyte
has him flying. Samarkand well supported last start and won accordingly, chance to run well again if
he gets the speed map to suit. Forever Glorious should relish the drop back in distance after a fair
effort over longer. Palace Pal generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home.

Race 4: Beauty Destiny bit erratic but has a chance here as the tongue tie goes on first time as well
as cheek pieces. Expecting those gear changes to improve his form this time. Run Run Timing debut
run was good and has trialled well since. He should be going close to winning. Joy Coming looks a
solid good chance based on last start and is always good enough for a race like this. Golden Luck
form is good and must be rated a solid chance. Shining Fortune can bounce back a winner anytime in
this class and he should get a good run from the low gate.

Race 5: Atomic Energy looks a solid good chance based on last start when runner-up to Humble Star.
Fitter now second-up and drawn well low. California Deeply generally gets back in the running but
dashes strongly home. He, too, should be better now second-up. Explosive Witness surprise tactics
adopted last run when being ridden forward, can improve with a quieter ride. Happy United last
start winner who rises in class but can measure up.

Race 6: Scotch Tycoon changed stables recently and has improved. He should be able to go on with
it. Young Life Forever has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. He will receive every
chance from the low gate. See U Again looks a solid good chance based on last start and should
measure up again in a moderate race. High Rise Soldier can bounce back a winner anytime in this
class. Looks the type of race where he can recapture form. Travel Golf narrowly beaten last start and
goes close here but the wide draw is the concern.

Race 7: Beato has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Gets JMac in the
saddle from a low gate and this is his chance to break through. Dragon Star should begin fast and will
be trying to lead all the way again. If left alone, he’ll be hard to get past. Smart Fighter had no luck
last start but keep following (read “Track Spy” for more information). Strongest Boy remains a
maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here but the wide draw is awkward. Win Win
Fighter can bounce back a winner anytime in this class.

Race 8: Hoss change of trainer to Pierrer Ng recently and can improve. Should receive every hope
from barrier 1. Tourbillon Prince had genuine excuses last start and consider again (read “Track Spy”
for more information). Romantic Laos gains a start. He is racing consistently since the move to Cody
Mo and will go close. Gallant Waking generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home
and is hand will be forced from the wide draw. U S S Constitution well prepared for debut and looks
big chance to run a race first-up for John Size.

Race 9: Copartner Ambition last run was better than it reads as he copped a nasty check at the
200m. Coming into barrier 1 is key to his chances and he can bounce back in a big way here. A
Americ Te Specso good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. Yet to win in
Class 3, but he is good enough to do so. Happy Day has improved since the blinkers were added and
can handle the rise in class (read “Track Spy” for more information). Prince Of Porty resuming from a
break and trialled well recently. Nice horse but the wide draw makes it tricky first-up. Brave Star has
been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon.