Welcome to our preview and horse racing betting tips for racing at Happy Valley on Wednesday, February 20th.
There’s eight races on a Good track with the rail in the C position (out wide). We’ve picked out our best bets on the card below!
HAPPY VALLEY BEST BETS
RACE 6
Zac Purton has a mortgage on the Jockey Challenge tonight with a stack of good rides and I’m pretty keen on Naboo Star to give him a winner. This horse hasn’t had much go right so far in his career but last start showed that he’s got some sort of ability. On debut, he raced in a very strong race behind the likes of Country Star. Then, at his second start, he bombed the start and was still only beaten less than 2L. Last start, he drew widest in barrier 12 and was still last on the turn before working home nicely to finish 3rd. Tonight, he draws barrier 4, Purton retains the ride, and if he jumps cleanly, he should take plenty of beating. It’s a competitive race though, so he needs to be on his best behaviour.
RACE 7
Another one of interest for Purton here is Little Bird. The fascinating part is the fact Purton jumps off Happy Victory, who he rode in its last two starts and its recent trial, yet jumps off tonight in favour of Little Bird. Ricky Yui’s horse bolted in over 1200m at the Valley back in November and ran encouragingly two starts ago before failing last start. He drops back to the 1000m tonight and Purton jumps on for the first time since riding him to a 3.8L victory in June last year. I’m expecting a good showing and $4.20 appeals.
RACE 8
My value play of the night comes up in the last in the form of Penang Hall for Chad Schofield and David Hall. He was outclassed in his first two starts at Sha Tin this season, but once he got back to the Valley last start, he showed that he’s ready to win. He drew barrier 12 over this track and distance on that occasion and was beaten 2.8L in 3rd. Tonight, he draws barrier 1 which should allow him to settle much further forward. He hasn’t won for a long time but he’s an each way chance in an open race to finish the card.
