Happy Valley 23 Sep 2026
GOING: G
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THE HONG KONG COUNTRY CLUB CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP) 1650m Track: |
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Moderate pace with Ivy League taking up the running ahead of Viva Firecracker and Inno Super. VERMILION TEMPEST (4) was competitive throughout his last campaign and has had excuses on several occasions when threatening to win. He maps to receive a cosy run early, and he gets a great chance to finally put it all together. On top for us. INNO SUPER (5) has returned in good order, finishing third at his past couple of starts, including a solid effort over 1650m here last time. He should receive the right run early on, and is expected to be fighting out the finish. IVY LEAGUE (3) has not won for some time but gets a much better setup from the inside gate. If he can settle in the right spot, he is capable of a top 3 finish at a good each-way price. VIVA FIRECRACKER (9) ended last season with a determined all-the-way win and resumes in similar company. A wide gate isn't ideal, but he has enough tactical speed to overcome it and he is another each-way hope in a competitive contest.
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| 1 | 9226x |
GLORIOUS JOURNEY
F C LOR 7YO BAY GELDING 61.0KG HUI YUK HON Gelding back from a spell of three months. Has placed previously first up from a break. Finished off last campaign sixth of 12 at this track June 24 over 1650m, 5 len behind Blossomy with 61kg at $12. Previously first up; fifth of 13 at Sha Tin All Weather September 21 over 1650m, 5 len behind Precision Goal with 58.5kg at $8.30. Can get the job done. |
9 C Y HO |
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| 2 | 0099x |
CLASS
P F YIU 5YO BAY GELDING 60.0KG JESSICA MAN YI LEE & GREGORY CHI HO HO Resuming after a break of ten weeks. Finished off last campaign ninth of 12 at this track July 15 over 1650m, 6 len behind Thriving Brothers carrying 54kg at $38. First up last campaign second last of 14 at Sha Tin April 26 over 1400m, 7 len behind Mighty Commander with 57kg at $239. See how he returns. |
5 JAMES ORMAN |
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| 3 | x590x |
IVY LEAGUE
D WHYTE 7YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG YU CHU LAM Is first-up after a break of ten weeks and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last preparation tenth of 12 at this track July 15 over 1650m, 3 len behind Shamz with 60.5kg at $13. Previously first up; fifth of 12 at this track May 20 over 1650m, 7 len behind Vivacious Win with 61kg at $9.70. Can return in winning form. |
1 RICHARD KINGSCOTE |
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| 4 | 0820x |
VERMILION TEMPEST
CASPAR FOWNES 5YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG KYLIN WINNER SYNDICATE Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation 11th of 14 at Sha Tin May 17 over 1800m, 13 len behind Romantic Fantasy with 58.5kg at $6.70. First up last campaign ran last of 14 at Sha Tin November 23 over 1200m, 8 len behind Sky Joy carrying 54kg at $138. Useful type who should be hard to beat fresh. |
2 LUKE FERRARIS |
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| 5 | 663x3 |
INNO SUPER
DAVID EUSTACE 5YO BAY GELDING 57.0KG DR NG CHI HO, DR STEVE CHUANG, DR RAYMOND LEUNG SIU HONG & NG WING HAW Second-up. First-up after two months came from midfield; 3rd of 11 at this track on September 9 over 1650m, 3 len behind Amazing Gaze with 57.5kg at $15. Previously second-up 6th of 14 at Sha Tin on June 21 over 1600m, 4.5 len behind Flying Knight with 59kg at $67. Hard to beat. |
3 JERRY CHAU |
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| 6 | 6563x |
HAPPY SMILE
JAMIE RICHARDS 4YO BAY GELDING 56.0KG CHAN TUNG, LO WING MAN, KWAN WAH & JACQUELINE WONG TIK YAN Resuming after a 11 weeks break. Finished off last preparation third of 12 at this track July 8 over 1650m, 0.8 len behind Another Zonda with 56kg at $9.30. On debut sixth of 14 at Sha Tin May 3 over 1200m, 4 len behind Malpensa with 59kg at $44. Expect he will go well. |
6 D LEUNG |
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| 7 | 9126x |
DASHING MAURISON
DAVID A HAYES 4YO BAY GELDING 56.0KG SOUND OF SILENCE SYNDICATE Resuming after a spell of four months. Finished off last preparation sixth of 12 at this track June 3 over 1650m, 2 len behind Take Action carrying 56kg at $5.80. Previously first up; fourth of 11 at Sha Tin September 21 over 1200m, 3 len behind Motor with 56kg at $43. Has the talent to take this out. |
7 HARRY BENTLEY |
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| 8 | 00751 |
LUCK IS BACK
PIERRE NG 6YO DK B GELDING 56.0KG FAITHFUL FRIENDS SYNDICATE Last start won by 1.3 len at Sha Tin on September 13 over 1600m defeating Lucky Year carrying 52kg at $32. The race before that 5th of 12 at this track on July 15 over 1200m, 3.5 len behind Starry Show carrying 54kg at $10. Confidence back and is among the main hopes. |
12 E C W WONG |
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| 9 | 7361x |
VIVA FIRECRACKER
A S CRUZ 5YO BAY GELDING 55.0KG ARNALDO HO YAU HENG Racing first-up today. Finished off last campaign winning by 0.5 len this track June 10 over 1650m defeating Sturdy Ruby carrying 52kg at $4.60. On debut seventh of 14 at Sha Tin November 30 over 1000m, 3 len behind Packing Glory carrying 58kg at $23. Can return in winning form. |
11 K TEETAN |
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| 10 | 0004x |
KING OF SELECTION
DAVID HALL 5YO BAY GELDING 54.0KG WEDNESDAY NIGHT RACING SYNDICATE Resuming. Finished off last preparation fourth of 14 at Sha Tin All Weather June 27 over 1650m, 4 len behind Night Purosangue carrying 56kg at $106. First up last campaign second last of 14 at Sha Tin January 11 over 1400m, 8 len behind Lucky Sam Gor carrying 53kg at $135. Hard to recommend at this stage. |
8 M F POON |
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| 11 | 0600x |
HEALTHY PONY
C W CHANG 5YO CHESTNUT GELDING 53.0KG TSENG JOR HAI Resuming after a three months break. Finished off last preparation second last of 12 at this track June 24 over 1650m, 5 len behind Flying Fortune with 55kg at $63. On debut ran last of 14 at Sha Tin March 1 over 1200m, 8 len behind Conrad Patch carrying 58kg at $127. Not likely to feature at this stage of the prep. |
4 M L YEUNG |
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| 12 | 0006x |
GAZELEY
K W LUI 4YO BAY GELDING 53.0KG BILLIE LAM CHI FAN, LEE SHEK TANG, MICHAEL NG CHUN HO & CHU HUNG KWAN Resuming after a break of ten weeks. Finished off last campaign sixth of 12 at this track July 15 over 1650m, 1.5 len behind Shamz carrying 55kg at $57. First up last campaign tenth of 12 at this track January 28 over 1200m, 4 len behind Romantic Son with 53.5kg at $64. Cannot recommend until he shows a bit more. |
10 MATTHEW CHADWICK |
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| 13 | 5507x |
FORTUNE STAR
MARK NEWNHAM 5YO GREY GELDING 54.0KG KELVIN CHAN KAM KEI & EDDIE CHAN KAM KONG Resumes after a break of ten weeks and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last campaign seventh of 14 at Sha Tin July 12 over 1400m, 3.5 len behind Rising Phoenix with 55.5kg at $41. First up last campaign second of 12 at this track October 8 over 1650m, 1.3 len behind Mighty Steed carrying 55kg at $3.80. A big run will not surprise. |
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| 14 | 00819 |
SHAMZ
A S CRUZ 5YO GREY GELDING 61.0KG CHANTILLY BUDDIES SYNDICATE At the latest run 9th of 11 at this track on September 9 over 1650m, 7 len behind Amazing Gaze with 61kg at $11. Before that won by 0.5 len at this track on July 15 over 1650m defeating Sky Deep carrying 59kg at $38. Will need to improve. |
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