Wednesday's race card at Happy Valley promises its customary competitive action, but a glance at the form book reveals a field where several runners are seeking to reignite their careers. Two such contenders, Mega Bonus and Victor The Rapid, have been highlighted as potential value picks for punters looking to find winners on January 7th.
Mega Bonus Poised for Front-Running Triumph
The highest-rated horse competing is the nine-year-old Harmony N Blessed, who holds a rating of 85. This indicates a card where pinpointing winners may prove challenging, turning attention towards horses with compelling reasons to run well. One such runner is the habitual front-runner, Mega Bonus.
Trained by Ricky Yiu, the gelding last tasted victory in June. While not a frequent winner, he has posted several respectable performances. Connections appear to have targeted division two of the Jackson Handicap at 12.10pm, a six-furlong sprint, as his ideal opportunity.
Significantly, Mega Bonus is racing off a mark very similar to his last winning rating. Furthermore, after a handful of runs this season, his body weight has dropped by 21 pounds, bringing him close to the condition he was in for his previous success. Drawn in gate three, he is perfectly positioned to bounce straight to the lead. If he secures an uncontested front, he could prove very difficult to catch.
Victor The Rapid Ready to Strike
Another runner fancied to end a winless streak is Victor The Rapid in division three of the Jackson Handicap at 1.10pm, also over six furlongs. The six-year-old is only a few pounds above his last winning rating, suggesting he is well-handicapped.
On his most recent start, he was hampered by a wide draw, leaving him with too much ground to make up before finishing powerfully behind Sugar Sugar. This time, with a much better draw in gate seven and the continued partnership of top rider Maxime Guyon, all the signs point towards a major effort. He is strongly fancied to get his head in front once more.
Wednesday's Key Selections
For those looking to follow the form analysis, the key pointers for Wednesday's Happy Valley meeting are clear:
- Mega Bonus – 12.10pm, Happy Valley
- Victor The Rapid (each-way) – 1.10pm, Happy Valley
With competitive racing guaranteed, these two runners offer compelling cases based on their conditions, ratings, and favourable draws.
