Happy Valley is set for another strong evening of racing on Wednesday, 24 June, with emerging talents and established performers ready to compete across a nine-race programme. Among the key talking points is Violet Star, whose impressive first success has encouraged jockey Karis Teetan to believe the promising chestnut can continue his upward progress in the Class 3 King’s Road Handicap over 1650m.
Happy Valley race preview
Trained by Douglas Whyte, Violet Star announced his arrival with a powerful victory over the same course and distance on 20 May. The four-year-old produced a sharp finishing burst that caught attention, and a recent trial at Conghua has further strengthened confidence that he is moving in the right direction.
Teetan, who partnered Violet Star in his breakthrough performance, said the horse had shown positive signs since that win and appeared to have improved physically.
“It was a very good win – the horse showed a great turn of foot. He’s held his form really nicely; I went up to Conghua to trial him and he gave me a good feel,” Teetan said. “I think the horse has definitely improved physically.”
Violet Star will face a tougher challenge this time after moving from barrier four to gate 12. The field includes several last-start winners and consistent performers, with Romantic Gladiator, Legend Winner, Fivefortwo, Mighty Commander, Definitive, Keefy, Samarkand, Another World, Stormi, Vecu and Class among those set to line up.
Teetan believes the wide draw will require patience, with the pair likely to settle off the early pace before making their move.
“He’s going to get better, and I feel like the horse is in good shape. We’re just going to have to deal with the draw, but if he gets the right run, he’s going to be strong again,” he said.
The Mauritian jockey will also reunite with Rosewood Fleetfoot in the Class 5 Ice House Street Handicap over 2200m, looking to build on their previous success. Teetan’s well-timed move aboard the Ricky Yiu-trained runner last month proved decisive, and he believes the horse has continued to show encouraging signs.
“It was the right move to make on him. I rode him previously and he gave me the feeling that he was a bit one-paced, so in the back of my mind I thought whatever happens, I would want to take off on him and it worked out good,” Teetan said.
Teetan arrives at the meeting in strong form, sitting fifth in the jockey standings with 42 wins and four victories from his last four meetings. He is also approaching a major career milestone, needing only 25 more wins to reach 800 Hong Kong victories.
The trainers’ championship battle will add further interest to the card, with Caspar Fownes leading on 63 wins, four ahead of Danny Shum. Shum will send out four runners, including Exceed The Limit in the Class 4 Morrison Hill Road Handicap over 1650m.
Jockey Lyle Hewitson expects Exceed The Limit to benefit from another competitive run and believes the horse can finish strongly if the pace develops.
“It was a really good run and it’s something promising to build on. I think the tempo should be on; he will probably be in the back half of the field and we could see him running on strong,” Hewitson said.
Shum has also given star performer Romantic Warrior time away from Sha Tin, sending the eight-year-old to Conghua for a change of environment after another remarkable campaign.
Young rider Luke Ferraris will also attract attention at Happy Valley, bringing 32 winners this season into the meeting with seven rides. His leading mount is Young Emperor in the Class 3 Leighton Road Handicap over 1200m.
Ferraris believes the return to Happy Valley could suit Young Emperor, who has previously performed well at the track.
“He’s won at the Valley before and I think switching up and going back there now will suit him. He’s been going up against some strong horses at Sha Tin,” Ferraris said.
The Wednesday programme begins at 6:40pm with the Class 5 Ice House Street Handicap over 2200m, setting the stage for an evening featuring developing stars, experienced campaigners and several intriguing clashes.
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