Shek Pik Handicap Tips (Race 4)
Happy Valley Roughie - Race 4 No. 4 Devildom
This gelding was competitive via his first two Hong Kong appearances at Sha Tin and both of those efforts came when produced on the fresh side in Class 3 company.
There's far less depth/quality to the Class 4 he resumes in this evening and Devildom has completed two trials leading in, with the latest a workmanlike third on October 21.
His latest hit-out was in a decent line-up, with Group winner Senor Toba taking out that heat and a progressive Daring Pursuit (second) saluted in a Class 3 last Wednesday.
Devildom had excuses in a Class 4 attempt at the end of last season (covered ground/was sore post-race) and this is comfortably the weakest race he's seen in Hong Kong.
The American Club Challenge Cup Tips (Race 5)
Happy Valley Value Bet - Race 5 No. 2 Mighty Commander
Although his form has been mixed since joining the Caspar Fownes stable, Might Commander has been luckless in two Happy Valley outings and they were in stronger grade.
The son of Artie Schiller is in Class 4 company for the first time after finding trouble via a Class 3 over this track/trip on October 16 and he brings a $10 starting price from that race.
Hugh Bowman taking the reins is also worth respecting, with the Australian hoop having ridden nine winners for Caspar Fownes this season at a terrific strike rate of 31%.
The market has really warmed to Storming Dragon and while the odds-on fav is due off some consistent performances, the short elect has had his chances in those runs.
Tai Tam Handicap Tips (Race 6)
Happy Valley Best Bet - Race 5 No. 8 Yee Cheong Spirit
This Danny Shum-trained galloper is still lightly raced for a five-year-old, with Yee Cheong Spirit set for just his third start here and he has completed a recent tick-over trial.
With even luck, the gelding arguably wins his second race day attempt when resuming over 1000m at Happy Valley, where he was inconvenienced early and held-up late.
Yee Cheong Spirit then would've finished much closer in his last try had there been any favours behind an impressive Aurora Lady and that winner heads a Class 3 market (Race 8).
Although he hasn't shown great tactical speed, a wide draw didn't help his chances last time and now with gate one at his disposal, look for Vincent Ho to be more positive early.
Shek Lei Pui Handicap Tips (Race 7)
Happy Valley Next Best Bet - Race 7 No. 9 Quantum Patch
He was consistent without luck early in his Hong Kong career and after brave first-up effort second-up last November, the son of Gleneagles bolted in via a similar event to this.
Quantum Patch wasn't able to progress following that impressive triumph, although he wasn't disgraced in those subsequent outings and fresh could be the key to this gelding.
Both victories have come first or second-up and with three trials completed ahead of Wednesday's return tilt, including an easy 1200m heat win on October 31, there's clear intent.
In a bid to sharpen up Quantum Patc, trainer Pierre Ng has applied blinkers for the first time (wore them in trials) and this stable has been in good form (16 winners this season).
High Island Handicap Tips (Race 9)
Happy Valley Feature Bet - Race 9 No. 6 Chill Chibi
We were with Chill Chibi after an eye-catching debut performance in January 2023 and he quickly progressed from there when taking out his next four appearances.
The last three of those triumphs came early last season and while he hasn't saluted since a Class 3 victory at Happy Valley last November, the gelding has remained competitive.
Among the highlights was a fourth in the Hong Kong Derby before coming back to Class 2 grade in three subsequent runs and he was spelled after placing in July.
Now third-up off two fair efforts to open the season and with a tick-over trial completed, it's somewhat D-Day here, with Zac Purton now aboard (he rode in the October 24 trial).