Happy Valley Tips for April 16th - Embraces in the last

Alex Marsh

Editor

Last updated: 16 Apr 2025

Alex Marsh 16 Apr 2025

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Happy Valley features a nine-race program on April 16
Key horses to watch: Midori Giant, Qingyuan Star, Crimson Flash, Embraces
Recommended bets: Embraces to win; each-way on Crimson Flash, Midori Giant, Qingyuan Star

Nine races feature on Wednesday's Happy Valley meeting. (Getty)

Happy Valley will run a nine-race program on April 16 and Wednesday's preview can be found below.

Here are our free Hong Kong racing tips for Happy Valley today...

Happy Valley Tips on April 16th

Bellflower Handicap Tips (Race 2)

Happy Valley Value Bet - Race 2 No. 1 Midori Giant

This large son of Maurice is aptly named and while he's up in the weights for this drop in class, the 61kg impost may not be such a big factor given the size of Midori Giant.

While he hasn't threatened in five Hong Kong appearances, the four-year-old has been mostly competitive in Class 3 company and this is the easiest race he's seen under Mark Newnham.

With five runs completed since a decent layoff, Midori Giant has good fitness base for this staying assignment and the gelding moved nicely when third in a recent tick-over trial.

Hugh Bowman was aboard for that April 8 hit-out and he stays on for race day, while a middle draw for the big Midori Giant is a positive, as he'll need galloping room to wind up.

The Ewo Challenge Trophy Tips (Race 5)

Happy Valley Roughie - Race 5 No. 9 Qingyuan Star

The son of Grunt was ridden with more intent when resuming at Sha Tin last in February and he stuck on fairly well after settling in the box-seat (lacked a turn-of-foot when it mattered).

His second-up performance when stepping up to the 1650m was another pass mark and with a run over the distance now under the belt, there's room for more improvement third-up.

1200m proved too sharp via his two starts earlier this season, however, the four-year-old showed enough in those sprint outings and he was spelled after a flat effort in November.

This isn't strong, with the fav (Sunday's Serenade) up 3kg after breaking through at start 11, while Soaring Bronco (1/17) and Dragon Star (2/31) are market elects who also have poor strike-rates.

Violet Handicap Tips (Race 6)

Happy Valley Next Best Bet - Race 6 No. 6 Crimson Flash

He bolted in on Australian debut as an odds-on fav when campaigning as 'He's In Like Flynn' and that July 2024 victory over 1000m at Wyong rated very well for the class/meeting.

Wyong is a tight-turning circuit and Crimson Flash did take out a Happy Valley trial leading into his first outing in Hong Kong, so the track switch from Sha Tin could be in his favour.

The three-year-old also gets blinkers applied for the first time this evening and with some time to find his feet early from barrier seven, Crimson Flash can cross to take up the lead.

The son of Showtime never got into a rhythm last start, where he failed to settle in the run after eventually landing outside of the leader and the key gear change can switch him on.

Chamomile Handicap Tips (Race 9)

Happy Valley Best Bet - Race 9 No. 4 Embraces

We have to be very wary of Aestheticism, who landed the cash for us a fortnight ago after a strong of unlucky performances, although he does get a 3kg penalty from that recent win.

Embraces appears to have more upside, as the four-year-old set for just start 11 overall and he's already put together a tidy record, with two wins and three placings to his name.

He had been building well before recording back-to-back victories and the gap between runs here is no knock (he was prepared on the fresh side before breaking through on December 26).

The gelding carried 1kg more when saluting at Class 4 level and Embraces then saluted via his first attempt in Class 3 company, while he's been competitive in three subsequent runs.

Verdict

Our Happy Valley tips for Wednesday, April 16 are:

Embraces

To Win

@17/10 - 4 Units

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Crimson Flash

Each Way

@11/2 - 3 Units

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Midori Giant

Each Way

@5/1 - 2 Units

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Qingyuan Star

Each Way

@10/1 - 1 Unit

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