Happy Valley Preview & Best Bets – Wednesday July 13

 

Happy Valley Tips  13/07/2022

Our form expert provides Happy Valley tips for today’s horse racing at Happy Valley Racecourse and gives his best bets.

 

BEST BET 🏆

Race 6:  No. 6  DURHAM STAR  ($3.20  Ladbrokes)

The Doug Whyte-trained DURHAM STAR has shown a distinct liking to the Happy Valley track in recent racing and looks well placed here for another podium finish tonight. Last start, the Deep Field gelding made it four-straight top-three finishes when he beat all but one home in a Class 4 Hcp, here over 1200m. He ran his last 600m, 5.2 lengths quicker than benchmark, the best here while posting the fastest final 800m, 600m and 200m sectionals for the race. He managed all that after jumping from the car park in gate 12 (of 12). Lyle Hewitson was aboard that night and sticks with him here. Much better drawn tonight, he maps to settle near mid-field with cover from gate three and with a clear run to the line, will give this contest a real shake.

 

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 9:  No. 6  GORYTUS  ($6  bet365)

We have an open affair to end the season at Happy Valley with the Danny Shum-trained GORYTUS looking a solid winning chance tonight. Last start, the British-bred gelding wasn’t far away when he grabbed third prize in a Class 2 Hcp, here over 1800m. He ran the trip out, 5.6 lengths quicker than benchmark, the best here and also claimed best effort with his final 600m, running that out, 9.8 lengths quicker than standard. On top of that, he recorded the fastest final 600m to 200m sectionals as well. Alex Badel was in the saddle that night but Zac Purton has the job here with Badel booked to ride Everyone’s Delight for Frankie Lor. He draws wide in gate 10 here, but maps to take up his usual sit, near mid-field with cover. He won here three starts back and carries less weight tonight. In such an open event, he looks a genuine chance at finding the podium again.

 

BEST VALUE 💰

Race 7:  No. 9  WIN WIN FIGHTER  ($7  Neds)

The Francis Lui-trained WIN WIN FIGHTER is in good touch of late and looks well placed here to cause some damage in the end result. Last start, the Elzaam gelding jumped from gate 10 (of 12) and finished just behind the placegetters in a Class 3 Hcp, here over 1650m. Here covered the journey, 3.2 lengths quicker than benchmark. The best in this field. He also clocked the fastest final 600m sectional for the race. Zac Purton rides the topweight here, handing the reins to Matthew Poon for tonight’s contest. Ideally drawn in gate two tonight, if Poon can have him close enough on the turn, and with clean air in front of him, he is capable of figuring here at odds.