Danny Shum Chap-shing's New Zealand import Our Jet only has to repeat his amazing last-start performance to claim his third successive victory at the city course and land tonight's Happy Valley Vase. This chestnut son of AJC Galaxy (Gr 1, 1,100 metres) winner Jetball has adapted to racing in Hong Kong very well in his initial season, opening his account on his third local start over tonight's trip. The talented sprinter displayed even more improvement when winning in the Wong Nai Chung Handicap (1,200 metres) by 23/4 lengths for Glyn Schofield at the Valley in February. The astonishing aspect of the victory was the ease with which he stretched away from his opposition after a tough run, Schofield having been caught three-wide without cover throughout. Any horse would have been entitled to capitulate in the final 100 metres, but Our Jet pulled away in the concluding stages in what can only be described as a superb victory. Shum has brought him back this preparation in good order. He moved stylishly in his all-weather trial on June 8 (second to Arabian Wager) and his other work has also been sound. Interestingly, his bodyweight is just two pounds more than when he one last time - ample evidence that despite the four-month break he is primed to run to his best. In an open contest there are several threats including David Hayes' consistent Always Welcome, who has hit a purple patch of form. The robust son of Hennessy has won three of his past four starts, two of them at the city venue. It's hard to knock him on form but on the downside he will be giving away plenty of weight to most of his rivals. He deserves plenty of respect, however, and must be kept safe. Stardane gets his chance to turn the tables on Always Welcome, who beat him on his local debut over 1,200 metres at Sha Tin on May 1. Stardane finished a respectable fourth to Golden Care over the same trip on the all-weather before an excusable performance earlier this month behind Scintillation. The booking of Olivier Doleuze is a positive, Stardane's better form coming when the French ace has been on board. Champion Douglas Whyte stays with last-start winner Golden Care, who stuck to the task well when notching his first local win on the dirt at the end of May. Always Welcome has beaten him both times they have met, on each occasion at Happy Valley, and the difference in the weights is not enough to suggest Golden Care can turn the tables. John Moore-trained Winning Counter finished second to Golden Care on the all-weather track on his most recent outing - a decent effort. He handles Happy Valley well enough, is drawn to get a good run and cannot be ruled out. Fantasy finished ninth to Golden Care and, on recent form, others are preferred. One of the more interesting entries is Tony Cruz's recent acquisition Diamond Century, who has caught the eye several times in his work lately. His overall form has been inconsistent but if able to produce anything like his effort on debut - a strong second to Able Prince down the straight course - he must have sound claims. Diamond Century handles the Valley and, from gate two, Felix Coetzee gets the opportunity to ride him in a favourable settling position. Snippedydooda is a good value chance in his first run for freshman trainer Caspar Fownes. His work and trials have been positive since joining the yard and the fact his bodyweight has increased 42 pounds since his last run on December 26 is a positive sign, especially given the amount of work he's done recently. The obvious concern is his outside barrier, but Craig Williams and Fownes have been a formidable team in recent weeks and the multiple course-and-distance winner cannot be ruled out. Although Danhero is suited to Happy Valley, his better form has been over the minimum trip. He hasn't managed to hit the frame in his last seven starts and may need further relief in the ratings. Kimberley Mines is drawn in gate 11 and has failed to hit the frame from three attempts over the course and distance, all of which suggests he cannot be recommended tonight. Debutant Noble Boss did not impress in his only all-weather trial but arrives with some decent form, including a third in the Racing Post Trophy (Gr 1, 1,600 metres) in England at the end of his juvenile season. Looking at his preparation, he will need the outing and more ground before being seen at his best.
