Jamie Richards has his sights set on a double dose of happiness as he unleashes a pair of last-start winners on Wednesday’s nine-race Valley card.
Sitting on six victories this season, Richards heads to the city circuit with a strong hand and believes Happy United is poised to handle his first foray into Class Three company in the Choi Wan Handicap (1,000m).
“He’s up in grade but down in weight, so hopefully he has a nice chance,” Richards said. “It’s never easy stepping into Class Three for the first time, but we’ll see.”
A winner over 1,200m on one of his five starts last season, Happy United was narrowly denied on seasonal reappearance when stepping back to the minimum trip. Dealt gate 11 on his latest outing over 1,000m, the four-year-old swept around his rivals under Vincent Ho Chak-yiu to record a second career success.
“He was pretty impressive to the eye,” Richards said. “They don’t usually win the way he did after being caught so wide. He did a good job to maintain a gallop.”
Happy United will jump from barrier six as he hunts for back-to-back wins, with Ho set to weigh out one pound over the 117 assigned to the gelding.
“He’s drawn in midfield, but he makes his own luck really. He’s got plenty of natural speed so can roll forward,” Richards said. “Vincent wanted to stick with him. He won well last time, and with even luck, he should be another good chance hopefully.”
Richards and Ho also team up with the hat-trick seeking Happy Day in the Class Three Jordan Valley Handicap (1,200m).
Winless from 10 appearances for trainer Chris So Wai-yin last term, Happy Day made an immediate impact for his new trainer by narrowly prevailing over 1,000m in October.
Stretching out to 1,200m in last month’s Class Four Japan Racing Association Trophy, the five-year-old kept on from the rear of the field to bravely justify favouritism.
“He’s a horse that gets back in running and needs a little bit of luck,” Richards said. “He’s got a bit of luck his last two starts, and now he’s into Class Three with a lower weight.
“He’s drawn a bit awkward but the B course usually plays pretty fair. Hopefully, he can be another good chance again, although it’s not easy to win three in a row.”
Unbeaten for his new handler, Richards believes the addition of blinkers has been a considerable factor behind the gelding’s recent success.
“I like putting blinkers on and it’s something I’ve always liked doing. I think, apart from gelding a horse, it’s the best gear change in the world,” Richards said.
“We brought him back in trip and just thought we needed to do something to try and help him along a little bit. Thankfully, he’s been running well.”
Charmander, Ready Player One, Courier Magic and Our Lucky Glory complete the trainer’s midweek chances.
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