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RISING star Magic Joy can confirm his real promise with an important win in the Governor's Cup at Happy Valley tonight.

 Trainer Neville Begg starts this excellent three-year-old over 1,650 metres for the first time but it's a gamble that most punters who saw his last exciting win will be prepared to take.

  Begg is good with young horses and has planned the campaign of Magic Joy meticulously. To a large degree it culminates in this Class Two event tonight and success will simply underline Magic Joy's credentials and a growing belief that he is destined for big things.

  Crack apprentice Francis K. S. Lam retains the ride after piloting Magic Joy to a supremely confident 21/4-length win at his last outing over 1,400 metres on yielding ground at Sha Tin.

  That was a win that simply vibrated with class and the smooth perfection of Magic Joy's galloping action as he glided over the ground was a delight for those who appreciate the non-gambling side of racing.

  Magic Joy now takes the major step to Class Two and this is the most serious search of his credentials to date. But it is difficult to suggest that he will not pass the test with flying colours.

  Magic Joy has progressed to his present mark with convincing displays and the only recent blot on his copy-book was defeat by Sunday Cruise over 1,400 metres two starts back at Sha Tin.

  However, Sunday Cruise is an experienced type who has mixed it in good company and he was running off a mark that day that favoured him greatly. And Magic Joy did not lose any real admirers in defeat.

  Significantly, he is almost certainly at the very peak of his fitness just now.

  He has run once before at Happy Valley when failing to land the very short odds early this season when ridden by now disqualified Darren Beadman. It would certainly pay to forget that run and concentrate on the more positive aspects of Magic Joy's recentprogress.

  The manner in which he cleared right away to win last time suggests he should not find the Happy Valley version of the mile beyond him. He is a naturally athletic type of individual who should negotiate the Valley bends and his class is not in doubt.

  Well drawn in barrier three, young Lam should have the winner perfectly positioned and he looks certain to run on strongly in the straight.

  Also tackling this trip for the first time is Bo Shing Winner who came home very strongly at his last start and failed narrowly to peg back debut winner Jade Age. That was over 1,400 metres and he came from well back in the field to snatch the quinella spot.

  Bo Shing Winner, who has scored at the city track over a lesser trip, was easily doing his best work at the line and it is easy to see him being involved in this tonight.

   Topweight Survey King resumes after a break and has also acquitted himself quite well at Happy Valley in the past.

  The distance is probably on the short side for Survey King but he looks certain to run well fresh.

  After two years in the doldrums Ring The Cabin won course and distance last start and repaid a fraction of his purchase price. He came from New Zealand with a big reputation following a good two-year-old campaign but he never reproduced that form here.

  But he did win an easier event last time and it could herald a better future for the six-year-old. However, there will still be those who doubt just how good and genuine Ring The Cabin really is.

  Lucky Sound has been in good form and deserves a winning break after finishing second at each of his past three starts. Those have been at Sha Tin and he may not find Happy Valley entirely to his liking although the trip would not be a problem and he would be a definite chance if the rain happened to come down.

  Owners Dream is a puzzle. He ran a grand race over 1,400 metres three starts back and clearly has ability. But he has not flattered in two subsequent starts and would have to be taken on trust tonight.



Magic Joy ripe for the picking