The $1 million North Island Handicap wraps up the seven-event card at Happy Valley this evening and it should be worth sticking around to wager on David Hayes-trained Pacific Alliance in the 1,800 metres contest. It has taken Hayes a while to find the key to the British import, who notched his first local win on April 11 at Sha Tin over 2,000 metres. It was a sound effort and he landed a moderate-sized betting plunge in good style. The form of that event held up well, as runner-up Seasons Knack went on to defeat Pacific Alliance (third) over 2,200 metres at Happy Valley next time out, with fast-finishing Super Combed splitting the pair. The gelding's last run on the all-weather dirt track at Sha Tin on May 22 can be ignored as he failed at his only other attempt on the dirt surface. He will undoubtedly relish a move back to the turf and the rise in grade means he is very well weighted with 113 pounds. From gate one, in a race devoid of leaders, jockey Howard Cheng Yue-tin can lead or position his mount in the box seat. There is every chance the pace will be closer to slow than moderate and with no weight on his back, Pacific Alliance could lead his rivals a merry dance. Derek Cruz's Celebration looks the only other competitor likely to apply any pressure to Pacific Alliance. He has decent form over the course and distance, with three placings from five starts. He is on his mark in the ratings, however, and on recent form may have to settle for another minor placing. It would be no a surprise if Tony Cruz issued Felix Coetzee with instructions to make the running with Lucky Good Day, particularly as the Argentinean import has drawn the outside gate. The form from his two local starts does not read well and clearly this southern hemisphere galloper hasn't acclimatised just yet. It would take an enormous amount of improvement for him to have a chance of hitting the frame at this stage. It is hard to fault the form of John Size-trained Danriva, who is yet to miss the frame from five attempts over the course and distance. He ran up to his best when second to Cosmo Success over 1,800 metres on May 19 and based on that performance must have each-way claims again. Rookie trainer Caspar Fownes must be credited with keeping Konrad The Great in solid form for the majority of the season. This fellow finished a game third to Cosmo Success recently and that was a sound enough performance to give him place claims in this. On the negative side, his consistency has pushed him in the ratings and it gets tougher to score each time. The lack of pace is another concern because he prefers to settle in a rearward position. Century-chasing Douglas Whyte has an outside chance aboard Shanghai King, who is yet to win from 15 starts. The closest he has come to saluting was in June last year, with the Durban Demon on board over this course and distance. Although Shanghai King's form looks moderate, it's better than that of several rivals and for that reason he remains under notice. Magic Hands has struggled to prove competitive in Class One since beating Mastery back in February over 2,200 metres. The Valley specialist has rarely competed well under big weights and the drop in grade gives him a chance to improve. He won't be far away at the finish but the eight-year-old may still be at his limit in the ratings. Mastery had excuses on his last three runs, two of which came on the all-weather surface with the other on a rain-affected track. His work leading up to this outing has been positive but he is yet another who won't be suited by the likely lack of pace. Overall, he is a progressive galloper who should be kept safe. Even though Silent Partner will appreciate the return to his preferred track, his recent form does not inspire confidence. The David Ferraris-trained Earl Grey had every chance to win in a lower grade and has to be considered a risk with the step up in grade. Dirt specialist Temmoku won well enough on May 22 on his preferred surface but will be tested this time round. There is no reason to regard Winfield as a threat after a poor effort on debut. He is best watched.
