Happy Valley: Love Together the standout at Happy Valley

Happy Valley takes centre stage tonight with nine competitive races under the lights, headlined by the Longines Cup. There's plenty to get stuck into, with Love Together looking beautifully placed in the feature, Virtus Glory knocking on the door of a deserved victory and Pope Cody ready to bounce back after a luckless last start.

We've narrowed the card down to our top two selections in every race, with the strongest bets and best value play highlighted for the night.

All times AEDT (Sydney time). Races 6–9 are after midnight on Thursday.

Race 1 — Racing Spirit Handicap

9:40pm · 1650m

Glorious Journey was excellent first-up, charging home into third from a wide draw. He now jumps from barrier three, should settle closer and has a consistent record over this course and distance. Refusetobeenglish is the danger dropping into Class 4, while Ace has claims from the inside draw.

Strong course-and-distance form, added fitness and a significant barrier improvement give Glorious Journey the edge.

Race 2 — Success Handicap

10:10pm · 1200m

Golden Friendship drops into Class 5, where he recorded his previous victory with Zac Purton aboard. They reunite from barrier four, and an encouraging trial suggests improvement is coming. Autumn Vibes has suffered consecutive narrow defeats at Happy Valley and draws barrier one with cheekpieces added.

The class drop, Purton booking and favourable draw make Golden Friendship the leading chance.

Race 3 — Racing Spirit Handicap

10:40pm · 1650m

Happy Smile produced a strong finishing burst to win over this course and distance first-up and looks capable of improving further. He rises six pounds but remains progressive. Luck Is Back has endured two luckless runs and now gets a significant barrier improvement with Vincent Ho aboard.

Happy Smile brings winning course-and-distance form, while Luck Is Back is the clear danger from a much better draw.

Race 4 — Swifty Handicap

11:10pm · 1200m

Virtus Glory arrives off three consecutive seconds and looks ready to break through. The seven-pound apprentice claim is significant, and limited early speed could help offset barrier 11. Lucky McQueen has strong recent form but also draws awkwardly.

Outstanding consistency, a valuable weight claim and a suitable race shape make Virtus Glory one of the strongest chances on the card.

Race 5 — Speedy Handicap

11:40pm · 1000m

Mapogo was trapped wide throughout last start and finished much closer than his position suggests. He now draws barrier four, meets Georgian Sigma eight pounds better at the weights and wears blinkers for the first time. Georgian Sigma is in winning form but must overcome barrier 12.

Mapogo gets a significant improvement in his racing setup and looks the value runner, although Georgian Sigma remains the proven form horse.

Race 6 — Longines Cup

12:10am · 1000m

Love Together produced an excellent first-up performance when charging home into third over this course and distance. He now drops sharply in weight, draws barrier four and should get a strong tempo to chase. Horsepower is in excellent form and looks the main threat.

The weight advantage, ideal draw and powerful first-up performance make Love Together the standout selection of the meeting.

Race 7 — Swifty Handicap

12:40am · 1200m

Quick Contribution remains a maiden after 15 starts but has been remarkably consistent, finishing second in three of his past four outings. Golden Ace caught the eye first-up over 1000m and should appreciate stepping up in distance. Copartner Fleet also gets a much better draw and has genuine claims.

Quick Contribution brings reliable recent form, but several runners have winning chances. A race to approach cautiously rather than a recommended bet.

Race 8 — Flying Handicap

1:15am · 1200m

Pegas had no favours from a wide draw first-up but still finished strongly into fourth. He now draws barrier one and should settle considerably closer. Leading Agility has strong recent form and must be respected, while Lucky River has trialled impressively ahead of his Hong Kong debut.

Pegas gets a major barrier upgrade after a promising first-up performance, giving him an excellent opportunity.

Race 9 — Songs Of Victory Handicap

1:50am · 1650m

Pope Cody was impressive winning first-up before enduring a luckless fourth last time, held up at crucial stages before finishing strongly. Barrier one brings some traffic risk, but the expected solid tempo should suit. Embraces draws barrier two and looks the main danger.

Proven course-and-distance form and genuine excuses last start make Pope Cody the horse to beat.

Best bets

Best bet – R6 – 12:10am – 8 Love Together — An outstanding first-up run, a significant weight drop and the perfect draw. The strongest overall selection on the card.

Next best – R9 – 1:50am – 2 Pope Cody — Forget the last-start fourth. He had no luck at crucial stages and looks well placed to return to winning form.

Value – R5 – 11:40pm – 12 Mapogo — A better draw, eight-pound weight turnaround and first-time blinkers give him an excellent opportunity to reverse recent form with Georgian Sigma.