The veteran Australian filly Star Impact will have her third race following a three-month layoff in a handicap for fillies and mares at 6 3/4 furlongs at Wyong Racecourse on Wednesday evening. It is a distance that should be in the 4-year-old’s favor.

Star Impact has won 3 of 17 starts, with two of the wins at seven furlongs.

Star Impact finished 11th of 12, beaten 7 1/4 lengths, in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Wyong on May 11 in her first start since February, but was a brighter second in a handicap at 6 1/4 furlongs at Newcastle on May 20.

AUSTRALIA TUESDAY ADVANCE By Steve Andersen Twice in the last five weeks, the Australian filly Anagain has rallied from off the pace to finish second or third in six-furlong handicaps, losing each rac

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, May 31, 2023)

Russian Emperor caught odds-on favorite Romantic Warrior in the last two strides to win the $1.53 million Champions and Chater Cup, the final Group 1 of the Hong Kong racing season, for the second year in a row.  

Romantic Warrior just failed to last 1 1/2 miles in his first try beyond 1 1/4 miles, leading from just after the start under his new rider, Zac Purton. Narrowly beaten earlier this year by Hong Kong’s best horse, Golden Sixty, going 1 1/4 miles, probably Romantic Warrior’s best trip, he was handed a neck defeat Sunday at Sha Tin by Hong Kong’s best 1 1/2-mile horse.  

Tahiyra, wearing the green and red silks of the Aga Khan, did not disappoint Sunday at The Curragh, winning the Irish 1000 Guineas by 1 1/2 lengths over a game Meditate. 

Vadeni, wearing the green and red silks of the Aga Khan, was very disappointing Sunday at The Curragh, finishing fifth with no excuse as Luxembourg made all the running to win the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup. 

Tastiera finished second by 1 1/4 lengths to Sol Oriens in the Grade 1 Japanese 2000 Guineas at Hanshin Racecourse in April, unable to hold a late lead.

The result was reversed in Sunday’s Grade 1 Japanese Derby. This time, Tastiera ($15.70) was in front at the wire, holding off a fast-closing 4-5 favorite Sol Oriens to win the $4.3 million Japanese Derby by a neck in a tight finish.

Sol Oriens finished a nose in front of 32-1 Hearts Concerto, who was a nose in front of 52-1 Bellagio Opera in the field of 18.

Sirens Star returned from a three-month layoff to win a maiden race in Australia last November, a victory that takes on added significance when she starts in a handicap for fillies and mares at 6 1/4 furlongs at Newcastle Racecourse on Monday evening.

The handicap will be Sirens Star’s first start since Christmas Eve, and her ability to win after a rest earlier in her career could lead to a second career win at Newcastle.

Aidan O’Brien’s two highly regarded 3-year-olds, Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear, flopped three weeks ago racing over soft ground in the English 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. On Saturday, at The Curragh in Ireland, O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore won the Irish 2000 Guineas with a lower-profile colt named Paddington.  

October Revolution is at home at Port Macquarie Racecourse in Australia, both in daily training and racing.

A winner of 2 of 13 starts, October Revolution was a good second in a five-furlong handicap at Port Macquarie on May 19, closing from last of eight to miss by a head.

The late kick leaves October Revolution favored in a five-furlong handicap at Port Macquarie on Sunday evening. A 3-year-old gelding, October Revolution is trained by Neil Godbolt, who is based at Port Macquarie.

Paul Lally:

R1 10-1-6-2

R2 2-1-6-4

R3 7-9-1-3

R4 5-4-6-7

R5 5-1-4-12

R6 5-6-14-1